Saturday, August 05, 2017

Special pleading (Live in a shack?)

Smogtown, British Columbia, on the way to Elvis, Red Cross benefit

PIRIE, MADSEN (2006)(2015) How To Win Every Argument, Bloomsbury, London.

Special pleading

This involves application of a double standard. (190).

This fallacy asserts the need for exceptions in judgment of premises and conclusions. (190).

A less strict standard is asserted for one's cause, even as other causes are applied a more strict standard. (190).

Based on the author's example: (Crowded room): 'I wish these people would keep quiet, so we can have our conversation.' (191). Based on the author's example (Journalist): 'I certainly want my right to privacy maintained, but as a journalist, for the public interest, I hound people day and night to demand answers.' (191). What if another journalist or other, hounded that journalist for answers day and night?

Logically fallacious

Special Pleading

Description:

'Applying standards, principles, and/or rules to other people or circumstances, while making oneself or certain circumstances exempt from the same critical criteria, without providing adequate justification. Special pleading is often a result of strong emotional beliefs that interfere with reason. 

Example #1: Yes, I do think that all drunk drivers should go to prison, but your honor, he is my son! He is a good boy who just made a mistake!'
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I am the former Vice-President of the United States of America and a multi-millionaire, I need to have an elaborate lifestyle of high-energy consumption, but you common folk need to cut your energy usage for the sake of the climate and environment.

Hmm, do as I say, not as I do. When a millionaire living very well cuts his/her energy consumption the overall amount of energy used is still more than most common folk.

Why not live in well-built and energy efficient shack, sir?

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