Logical Fallacies: The Enemy of Any Argument

2015-05-18T10:22:03-04:00

We, as a military service, tend to be of the logical variety. We attempt to approach issues logically and methodically in order to find and administer the best solutions for the problems at hand. We are well trained in putting aside the majority of our emotions in order to successfully accomplish the mission in the most efficient, effective, and safe way possible. The problem with being logical all the time though, is it is not an infallible method. We sometimes run into logical fallacies. Logical fallacies, the enemy of any argument, can come in many shapes and sizes.

When attempting to argue a point, no matter the position you take, some of these fallacies may find their way into your discussion. Many people will agree that the best way to solve an issue is to approach it rationally and logically and decide upon the solution that is best, even if it might be unpopular. In many arguments you may see one debater or the other attempting to use emotions to rile up listeners or supporters to their cause. While this is an effective method to garner and win support, it rarely leads to what could be deemed as the right choice. In the American political arena, we often see these emotional attacks coming from both sides in order to fire up the base of support. Issues such as gay marriage, abortion, assisting the poor, and many others can utilize emotion to get support for or against a specific cause.

Sometimes in politics we can also see the logical fallacies abused in order to score points with voters as well. More often than not we see attacks specifically against the other candidate instead of against his position, which is a logical fallacy. When attempting to find and direct the most efficient and effective solutions, it is generally best to be logical about things, but that will always have the weakness of logical fallacies.

Even as a largely logical compendium of people such as RallyPoint, we find ourselves falling into the trappings of logical fallacies. Many examples of these types have been included in the picture that was added to this post. How can we best understand these fallacies and attempt to remove them from our arguments in order to logically arrive at the best solutions? Do you find yourselves falling into these traps often? Should we as military professionals strive to be above them?

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 18 at 2015 10:24 AM

2015-05-18T10:24:42-04:00

Where have you seen all this logic? Is logic what we are hoping to see? I think your well thought out and articulated question fails from assuming what we wish is what we actually have?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 10:25 AM

2015-05-18T10:25:34-04:00

Most of us tend to fall in love with our own opinions. The truly enlightened among us seek first to understand, then to be understood.

Response by MSgt Michelle Mondia made May 18 at 2015 11:00 AM

2015-05-18T11:00:00-04:00

Love this...I was fourtunate enough to find the motivation to take a Logic class in college which ultimately revealed that true debate is not about oppinons it is about facts. Anyone can look like a fool when you apply the concepts of logic which is why this area of philosophy is not very main stream. Most people prefer politics over logic, where manipulation of emotions determines what is true. from government to advertising we're all being dupted.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 18 at 2015 11:42 AM

2015-05-18T11:42:30-04:00

CPT Zachary Brooks Thank you very much for posting this. Logic is the only way to solve problems deliberately, heuristics work in time compression, but only as borne out by logic when time allows.

I found the source of that poster. It seems designed to help educate people on social media of their use of logical fallacies. I will definitely be using this website to help people ID logical fallacies in their arguments.
https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/

Q. How can we best understand these fallacies and attempt to remove them from our arguments in order to logically arrive at the best solutions?
A.) By identifying when we make them for each-other, and reducing reliance on them.
Q. Do you find yourselves falling into these traps often?
A.) I'm sure I do sometimes, I probably use slippery slope and black and white a bit much.
Q. Should we as military professionals strive to be above them?
A.) As competent human beings we should constantly refine our logical processing of information. In the military we deal in life and death, there is no higher charge for accuracy than that in out profession.

Thou shalt not commit logical fallacies

Logical fallacies are often sneakily used by politicians and the media to fool people. Don't be fooled! This website has been designed to help you identify and call out dodgy logic wherever it may raise its ugly, incoherent head.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 12:01 PM

2015-05-18T12:01:59-04:00

Reminds me of a phrase I've heard uttered by many in the Air Force: "[Insert idea here]. Oh wait, the Air Force can't do it that way, because that would make sense."

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 18 at 2015 2:07 PM

2015-05-18T14:07:37-04:00

Thank you for the graphic. It seems almost complete. Sadly it isn't. It seems that the human mind is capable of finding a escape from reality for any situation that it doesn't like. It's called cognitive dissonance. Dissonance being a difference between reality and one's perception. Cognitive being awareness. Thus when a person is thrown into cognitive dissonance they are not comfortable until they find a way of eliminating it and will resort to any device, no matter how implausible or fallacious, to avoid it.

My personal favorite is the "Holier Than Thou" attitude that covers most situations. I can't help but laugh at the irony of almost every attempt to exercise this option. No one exercises it more frequently than the environmentalists...

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CFACT - Timeline Photos | Facebook

They came in automobiles fueled by oil, wearing clothing made from oil, to protest oil, in kayaks made from oil. Then they tweeted their photos on...

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made May 18 at 2015 3:19 PM

2015-05-18T15:19:41-04:00

<--Guilty as charged.

Response by SGT Kevin Brown made May 18 at 2015 4:17 PM

2015-05-18T16:17:57-04:00

Great post Sir.

Response by CMDCM Richard Moon made May 18 at 2015 5:17 PM

2015-05-18T17:17:23-04:00

This is a fantastic graphic and an "argument" killer as soon as someone whips out their logical fallacy! Thanks for sharing!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 2:17 PM

2015-08-20T14:17:30-04:00

I sure a philosopher once said that the only real struggle was survival...and that since it was a struggle we are all bound to lose, life itself was illogical. Hence existentialism. An existentialist might argue that "logic" is the placebo of the cynic...passion the panacea of the arrogant...hope the intoxicant of the irresolute. Personally, I believe that if you defeat the notion that "survival" is a lost cause, you simultaneously redefine logic, passion and hope. To do so however, you have to view life from a holistic vantage point...the immortality of spirit. This conquers the true enemies of logic...time, want and conceit.

Response by SFC Joseph McCausland made Dec 16 at 2015 11:02 AM

2015-12-16T11:02:12-05:00

True, but sometimes, we have to throw "logic" to the wind, trust in our innate capabilities and take a "leap of faith".

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2015 9:41 PM

2015-12-16T21:41:42-05:00

I beg to differ. Logical thing to do is NOT ALWAYS the right thing to do. Even Mr. Spock eventually understood that. I say all persuasion components Ethos, Logos, and Pathos are necessary to make the BEST decision. Poor is a commander who has no empathy for his/her troops and doesn't care for credentials of his staff. Logic would dictate that we abandon our fallen or wounded to minimize the casualties. Yet we send more to bring them home.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 6 at 2018 7:31 AM

2018-02-06T07:31:16-05:00

Excellent share CPT Brooks.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2023 7:54 AM

2023-09-15T07:54:43-04:00

For some of these, the idea that they are fallacies are the true fallacy.