Slippery slope III

Courtesy J.C. Zombie: Las Vegas

Slippery slope III

Related articles

Monday, August 27, 2018: Slippery slope argument and the ridiculous conclusion that amuses my friend

Friday, August 04, 2017: The Slippery Slope: Stepping off a skyscraper 

Madsen Pirie on the slippery slope fallacy

I have discussed the slippery slope argument, considered fallacious by British, philosopher Madsen Pirie with the two links above.

The fallacy assumes that a single step in a particular direction, inevitably means that the whole distance will be covered. (189). But, the truth is, sometimes a single step leads to another and there are cases when it does not. (189). I agree with Pirie where he reasons: 'There is a limited class of cases in which someone is doomed after a first step...' Stepping off a skyscraper being a good philosophical example. (189). 

Based on the author's example: (189). If we lower the legal drinking age from 21 to 18 years of age, soon there will be a call in society for the legal drinking age to be lowered to 16 years of age. This is unlikely as in the 21st Century, the standard age of adulthood is typically 18 years of age. Therefore, it is doubtful there would be societal calls for the legal age of drinking to be below 'universal' adulthood. The fallacy fails to differentiate between far-reaching actions and limited actions. (190). The author opines that most proposals would lead to disaster if taken too far. 

My examples: 

If one smokes marijuana, it will lead to cocaine use. This is true at times, marijuana being documented as a gateway drug, but it is not always the case in every instance. As it is written it is fallacious. If one smokes marijuana, it may lead to cocaine use. Reasonable. (I have no interest in recreational drugs or in the abuse of pharmaceutical drugs.) 

I can accept that slippery slope is fallacious because a single step in a direction, does not mean that the whole distance will be covered. (189). In fact, there could be steps forward and steps backward.

Slippery slope with ridiculous example

From my 2018 entry, the sermon mentioned was stating that the modern Christian trying to be cool, ends up in a slippery slope of degrading moral thoughts, acts and actions. A Christian trying to be cool and relatable to people in the world system, drinks alcohol a bit, gets a tattoo and smokes a little marijuana and soon is hooked on drugs, alcohol and fornication. In other words, the Christian wanting to be cool, ends up living in a very similar way to the non-believer. 

To highlight Pirie's view of the slippery slope argument as fallacy, I added the satirical, humourous example. The premise being that actions described by the pastor can ultimately, in my satirical words, lead to 'orgies.' The ridiculousness of this imagined, formulaic, chain of moral thoughts, acts and actions, demonstrates the fallacious nature of the idea of the slippery slope argument. Being somewhat cool, in a social situation, may include the limited use of alcohol and most moderate drinkers do not end up alcoholics. It is not a slippery slope. It is not universal or even typical.

For balance

For balance though, philosophical and worldview trends do need to be considered. Moderation and reason is key in regards to social and political movements supported by those within the Christian Church prayerfully, desiring to be true to the scripture. This whether of the moderate left or the moderate right. 

Do advancements by the social and political left in our societies mean that Canada and the United States will eventually end up, Marxist, socialist states? No, as on this website, I agree with philosopher Pirie and reject the slippery slope argument. Some advancements where the left are involved, are actually in agreement with a New Testament worldview, such as a more focused social and political opposition to racism (Galatians 3: 28, 1 Corinthians 12: 12-13). 

But I can conclude that governments that embrace radicalized views will generally produce radicalized government. In my humble opinion, the radical left, given enough power will 'cannibalize' the moderates on the left. As the radical right, given enough power, would 'cannibalize' the moderates on the right.

(I support neither the radical left or radical right, but view a rise of the radical left, more likely in western societies, at present)

Theoretically, if the radical left becomes more mainstream, a scenario where biblical Christianity, biblical Christian institutions and biblical Christians run ethically and legally, afoul of governments, and societies because of political correctness, is reasonable and not far-fetched. New Testament sexual ethics, reasonably interpreted in scriptural context, for church members, one example.  

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

Courtesy J.C. Zombie

Stop sending me this

This is obviously satire and not a true likeness.

Pastor Osteen teaches a prosperity gospel, also known as health and wealth gospel. But, a full (more complete and accurate) gospel message and its 'bloody cross' and the associated positives and negatives from the biblical gospel, for humanity, are not likely as profitable to preach, today. 

I have heard Osteen preach the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is capable of preaching a basic gospel message and God's sovereignty, which are decently accurate by my Reformed standards. 

If Pastor Osteen preached biblically, far more, instead of  presenting presumptive theology assuming a prosperous, divine, 'destiny' for people, he might gain a little credibility with some critics.

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BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

CONWAY DAVID A. AND RONALD MUNSON (1997) The Elements of Reasoning, Wadsworth Publishing Company, New York.

COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.

PAPINEAU, DAVID (Gen. Ed) (2016) Philosophy: Theories and Great Thinkers, New York, Shelter Harbour Press.

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

LANGER, SUSANNE K (1953)(1967) An Introduction to Symbolic Logic, Dover Publications, New York. (Philosophy). 

SAMPLES, KENNETH (2014) How to Evaluate an Abductive Argument, Reasons to Believe, Covina, California.

SZUDEK, ANDY & TORSLEY, SARAH (2018) The Little Book of Philosophy, Landau Cecile (Ed), London, DK Publishing.

WALTON, D.N. (1992) Slippery Slope Arguments, Clarendon Press.

https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/logicalfallacies/Slippery-Slope

Epigraph: An alternative

The Babylon Bee: August 18 2017

The cited article is satire. 

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Rather than replacing a statue, in general, I would prefer that a statue would have a written explanation, an epigraph, which would provide an attempt at an objective, historical account in regards to the subject (s) of the statue.  

But this approach requires cooler heads, more interested in truth than the reactionary, political agenda of the day. By the way, eras from now, some of our present western views may be exposed as less than good, by many. Certainly, in the culminated Kingdom of God (Revelation 20-22) this realm and world system will be condemned as being infected with problems of evil.

Theologically, keeping past statutes and allowing the public presentation of past worldviews, formerly embraced by a society, or at least, aspects of a society, demonstrates that humanity is less than perfect. I acknowledge there have been improvements in our world from previous eras in many ways. But, apart from the religious history, such as within Genesis in the Hebrew Bible, prior to the fall, humanity has been imperfect by nature in every era. History documents this as fact, despite human evolution and progress (non-Darwinian, in my view).

Humanity is universally corrupted through sin, and there has been a fall of humanity (Genesis 1-3, Romans 1-3) which greatly damages, God to human relationship and fellowship and human to human relationship and fellowship. There obviously exists racism and other human to human evils. Presently we have imperfect, tainted people and imperfect, tainted, human philosophy, theology, politics and worldview. According to scriptural revelation, this can only be ultimately fixed through the atoning and resurrection work of God incarnate, Jesus Christ, applied to persons (1 Corinthians 15).

Quote JCZ: Russ, you are outnumbered three domes to one

Zoom 1

Zoom 2

Zoom 3

Zoom 4

In Zoom 1, John looks like a guru. My Red Hands photo makes me think 'warped Moving Pictures' cover.

Rush, Moving Pictures, 1981

Brief Bullets: If a person eats plants, does he/she have a plant nature?

Ernest Hepnar photo: Italia

• My good friend, J. C.Zombie was visiting. He was showing me You Tube videos. He came across a famous, late guru that taught that his followers were vegetarians, because (paraphrased) if one eats animals, one takes the animal nature upon self. 

• J.C. Zombie stated: (paraphrased) 'If a person eats plants, do they have a plant nature?' Good point, I said.

• One of the interviewers of the guru suggested that his view would be challenged as unscientific, by scientists.

• The guru replied (paraphrased) that this belief was fine for his followers as long as they have peace with the view. 

• The guru noted (paraphrased) that such conflicts and intellectual challenges, add confusion.

• For me this belief and explanation from the guru highlights a classic difference between his religious view and biblical Christianity, especially within a Reformed tradition.

• Reason is important in order to analyze and know truth. Christianity is a revelatory faith and philosophy, but this divine revelation from scripture is to be rationally understood and theologically developed, while simultaneously the Holy Spirit of God is required as aid in understanding the truth. Illumination with reason should be requested of God.

• 2 Timothy 2:15 King James Version (KJV) 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 King James Version (KJV) 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

• 2 Peter 3:14-16 King James Version (KJV) 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

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• A good friend from Europe, a little older than me, sent me a photo of a much younger woman that was also much thinner than him. He stated that she contacted him and that she might be interested in him.

• I opined that as long she was legally an adult and biblically available as single, and they related as Christians, it was fine. He opined that she was probably after his money. 

• I replied that he not bother with someone that wants to exchange 'beauty for money'. I received such offers often. The conversations are always pathetic.

• Real potential romantic, friendship and love, while seeking the perfect will of God, is friendship and love of mutual, spiritual, intellectual and physical compatibility. It should not be of social games based on market value and market value dating.

• These market value approaches to dating, at least risk, sin; I cannot judge the motives and mind of any person.To be clear, that is up to God (2 Corinthians 5: 10). But, there is significant sin, in general, I reason.

• I opine that many people in the Christian Church are single, divorced, etcetera for embracing views related to market value dating and market value marriage and as well many promote these views as being socially enforceable for others in the Church.

• This can be a Christian and evangelical form of political correctness. 

• On this issue, I often state that there is enough sin going around from everyone concerned, including from myself. The Church requires biblical guidance through the Holy Spirit. The Church needs reason from God.

BOICE, JAMES, MONTGOMERY (1981) Foundations of the Christian Faith, Downers Grove, IVP Press.

ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

ERICKSON, MILLARD (2003) What Does God Know and When Does He Know It?, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

THIESSEN, HENRY C. (1956) Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.