How YouTube Creators Attack Other Creators Using Philosophy Terms, Arguments, Fallacies, etc.

My PhD is in Applied Ethics, so you may be wondering what I mean by the title. If so, please continue reading... 

Applied ethics plays a crucial role in various fields, including medicine, business, law, politics, and technology. It involves the practical application of ethical principles to address dilemmas and challenges that arise in these domains. In the realm of forensic science, a branch of applied ethics known as forensic ethics tackles the ethical issues specific to this field. Forensic ethics delves into the complex ethical dilemmas faced in forensic science, where one example of applied ethics is the utilization of DNA evidence in criminal investigations. The advent of DNA evidence has revolutionized forensic science, leading to the exoneration of wrongfully convicted individuals. However, along with its significant impact, the use of DNA evidence also raises ethical concerns that demand careful consideration.

 

Privacy, accuracy, and the potential for misuse or abuse of DNA technology are key ethical issues surrounding the use of DNA evidence in criminal investigations. Respecting the privacy and autonomy of individuals is crucial when collecting and analyzing DNA evidence. Ensuring accuracy in the analysis of DNA evidence is vital, safeguarding against manipulation or misinterpretation to serve specific agendas. Moreover, the existence of DNA databases brings to light ethical questions regarding the potential misuse or abuse of genetic information and the risk of genetic discrimination. These concerns emphasize the pivotal role of applied ethics in forensics, guaranteeing that the use of DNA evidence is guided by ethical principles and serves the best interests of the public.

 

Applied ethics is a field of study that enables individuals and organizations to navigate complex ethical dilemmas. By employing ethical theories, principles, and concepts, they can make informed and responsible decisions that benefit society as a whole. In the realm of forensic science, applied ethics plays a vital role in ensuring the ethical application of DNA evidence, contributing to the pursuit of justice while upholding ethical standards.

 

Same with all other areas in Forensics such as my near 40-year career. As the end of 2022 approaches, I find myself resurrecting and updating a blog post from 2017. You see, since then, I've started a YouTube show, and unfortunately, I've become the target of cyberattacks orchestrated by other YouTube creators. These individuals attempted to defame me, using the guise of "philosophy" to undermine my credibility. Usually, I delete all blog posts at the end of each year to start over fresh in the new year. When I say "delete", it means the posts go into the trash bin on WordPress in case I ever want to resurrect them, such as now. Before I delve into the list of accusations outlined in the post title, let me provide you with an example to illustrate the situation. One of the criticisms leveled against me was my practice of blocking haters from commenting on my channel. Ironically, these same individuals had no qualms about employing the very same tactic. Furthermore, they accused me of calling out my haters on my channel, something I have never done and would never do. Yet, they themselves have repeatedly engaged in such behavior towards numerous creators for an extended period. Another accusation I faced was deleting comments, which they labeled as "dirty deleting." However, my reasons for removing comments align with my disdain for a digital footprint that no longer fits my opinions or contains outdated information, such as broken links. Essentially, everything they accused me of doing was precisely what they were guilty of.

 

From a philosophical standpoint, when YouTube creators accuse others of engaging in behaviors or practices that they themselves partake in, it not only reeks of hypocrisy but also demonstrates the fallacy of inconsistency, also known as "tu quoque" (Latin for "you also"). The tu quoque fallacy occurs when someone attempts to defend their actions or beliefs by highlighting that their opponent or critic has done the same. This type of argument is fallacious as it fails to address the core issue at hand or provide a valid justification for the behavior in question. In essence, my haters were not confronting the underlying matter or offering a legitimate defense of their own behavior. Instead, they sought to divert attention away from themselves by pointing fingers at me and their other victims. While some of their other victims resorted to name-calling in response, I have always refrained from stooping to such low, unhappy, and unprofessional behavior.

 

[Scroll below to see the link to the newest video they are attacking]

 

Ad Hominem attacks were another tactic frequently employed by my detractors. They took issue with my chosen field of study and my career in forensic graphology. It's important to note that professionals often have disagreements within their respective fields or across different domains, and I have no qualms with that. However, when they resorted to labeling me as a liar, fraud, charlatan, or questioning my education, they transitioned from a professional disagreement to personal attacks. Such behavior is unacceptable. It deviates from addressing the topic of disagreement (my career) and falls into the realm of ad hominem. As I resurrect this blog post, it serves as a testament to the challenges I've faced and the fallacies employed against me. Nevertheless, I remain committed to addressing the issues at hand with integrity and professionalism, refusing to engage in the same tactics used against me. Stay tuned for more updates and discussions on my YouTube channel as I continue to navigate this complex landscape with resilience and determination.

 

Anyway, as you will likely see more of this occurring on social media platforms, I thought I'd lay out a fairly exhaustive list for you to refer back to.

 

• A posteriori: A proposition that is known to be true based on empirical evidence or experience.
• A priori: A proposition that is known to be true based on reason alone, independent of experience.
• Absolutism: A moral or political theory that holds that certain principles or values are universally valid and applicable, regardless of cultural or historical context.
• Absurdism: A philosophy that emphasizes the meaningless and irrationality of human existence.
• Ad Hominem (Abusive): This fallacy is a personal attack on the character or motives of a person making an argument, rather than addressing the argument itself. "You're just a liar and a cheat, so your argument can't be trusted."
• Ad Hominem (Tu Quoque): This fallacy is an attempt to discredit an argument by accusing the person making the argument of hypocrisy or inconsistency. "You can't say anything about honesty when you lied on your taxes last year."
• Ad Hominem: Attacking the character or motive of an opponent, rather than addressing the substance of their argument. "You can't trust my opponent because he's a known liar." In other words, attacking the person making an argument, rather than addressing the argument itself. "You can't trust him, he's a convicted criminal," or "You can't trust John's argument about climate change, he's not even a scientist."
• Ad Populum: Claiming that something is true simply because a large number of people believe it to be true. "Everyone knows that you can't trust politicians."
• Aesthetics: The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and appreciation of art, beauty, and taste.
• Agnosticism: A philosophical position that holds that the existence of God or other ultimate realities cannot be known or proven.
• Alienation: A concept used in Marxist philosophy to describe the feeling of disconnection or estrangement that individuals experience in capitalist societies, whether from oneself, others, or society. This is often associated with modern industrial society.
• Ambiguity: Using unclear or vague language to make an argument. "We need to reduce crime. Therefore, we need to take action."
• Analytic philosophy: A philosophical tradition that emphasizes the use of logical analysis and clarity of language in philosophical inquiry.
• Anarchism: A political philosophy that advocates for the elimination of all forms of government and the establishment of a society based on voluntary cooperation and mutual aid.
• Anecdotal Fallacy: Relying on personal anecdotes rather than data or evidence to support an argument. "My grandfather smoked every day of his life and he lived to be 100, so smoking can't be that bad for you."
• Animal Ethics: The branch of ethics that examines the moral and ethical implications of human interactions with non-human animals, and seeks to promote animal welfare and rights.
• Appeal to Authority: Arguing that something is true or acceptable because an authority figure says so, without providing sufficient evidence. "The doctor said vaccines are safe, so they must be," or  "I believe in climate change because Al Gore said it's real," or "I know the doctor said I need to lose weight, but my favorite celebrity says you should love yourself just the way you are," or, "My doctor says that homeopathy works, so it must be true."
• Appeal to Consequences: Arguing that a claim must be true or false based on whether the consequences of accepting or rejecting it are desirable. "If we stop using fossil fuels, it will destroy the economy, so we should keep using them."
• Appeal to Emotion: Using emotions, rather than facts or evidence, to persuade or convince someone.   "You should support animal rights because think of all the poor, defenseless animals suffering," or "If you care about the children, you'll support this legislation," or "If we don't pass this bill, the world will end."
• Appeal to Ignorance: Arguing that something is true simply because there is no evidence to prove it isn’t. "There's no evidence that aliens exist, so they must not be real," or "No one has proven that Bigfoot doesn't exist, so it must be real."
• Appeal to Nature: This fallacy is the argument that because something is natural, it must be good or right. "Herbal remedies are better than pharmaceutical drugs because they are natural."
• Appeal to Tradition: Arguing that something is true or acceptable because it has been done a certain way for a long time. "We've always celebrated Thanksgiving this way, so we shouldn't change it."
• Argument from Abduction: The argument that the best explanation for a given phenomenon is the one that best accounts for the available evidence.
• Argument from Analogy: The argument that two things that are similar in some respects are likely to be similar in other respects, and that this similarity can be used to infer knowledge.
• Argument from Animal Rights: The argument that non-human animals have moral rights that should be recognized and respected by humans.
• Argument from Authority: Accepting something as true simply because an authority figure says it is true. "The president said we need to invade that country, so it must be the right thing to do."
• Argument from Beauty: The argument that the beauty and harmony of the natural world imply the existence of a creator.
• Argument from Consciousness: The argument that the existence of subjective experience and consciousness is evidence of a non-physical aspect of reality.
• Argument from Consensus: The argument that a knowledge claim is justified because it is widely accepted by a community of experts or scholars.
• Argument from Contingency: The argument that everything that exists is contingent, and that this implies the existence of a necessary being.
• Argument from Cosmological Existence: The argument that the existence of the universe requires an explanation or cause, which is God.
• Argument from Deduction: The argument that knowledge claims based on deductive reasoning (i.e., conclusions that follow logically from premises) are certain and infallible.
• Argument from Deontology: The argument that the morality of an action is determined by its conformity to moral rules or duties.
• Argument from Design: The argument that the complexity and order in the natural world imply the existence of an intelligent designer.
• Argument from Desire: The argument that our innate desire for happiness and fulfillment can only be satisfied by God.
• Argument from Empiricism: The argument that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience, and that there is no innate knowledge or ideas.
• Argument from Environmental Ethics: The argument that moral values should extend beyond human beings to include the natural environment and other non-human animals.
• Argument from Ethical Egoism: The argument that individuals should always act in their own self-interest, and that this is the ultimate standard of morality.
• Argument from Feminist Ethics: The argument that traditional ethical theories have been shaped by patriarchal values and assumptions, and that feminist ethics offers a more inclusive and just approach to moral decision-making.
• Argument from Free Will: The argument that free will is necessary for moral responsibility, and that the existence of evil is a consequence of free will. In other words, the existence of free will implies the existence of a non-physical aspect of reality, and that this is evidence for the existence of God.
• Argument from Ignorance: Assuming that something is true simply because it has not been proven false, or vice versa. "I don't know how the universe was created, so God must have done it."
• Argument from Induction: The argument that knowledge claims based on induction (i.e., generalizations from empirical observations) are justified, despite the problem of induction.
• Argument from Inference to the Best Explanation: The argument that the best explanation for a given phenomenon is the one that best accounts for the available evidence.
• Argument from Intuition: The argument that some knowledge is self-evident or intuitively obvious, and that we can rely on our intuitions to guide our beliefs.
• Argument from Miracles: The argument that miracles provide evidence for the existence of God.
• Argument from Moral Realism: The argument that moral values and duties are objective and exist independently of human opinion or convention.
• Argument from Moral Skepticism: The argument that moral values and duties are subjective and do not exist independently of human opinion or convention.
• Argument from Morality: The argument that objective moral values and duties exist, and that these can only be explained by the existence of God.
• Argument from Ontological Existence: The argument that the concept of God as the greatest possible being necessitates his existence.
• Argument from Pascal's Wager: The argument that it is rational to believe in God, because the potential benefits of belief (eternal life) outweigh the potential costs of disbelief.
• Argument from Personal Experience: The argument that personal experiences provide evidence for the truth of a belief or claim.
• Argument from Rationalism: The argument that some knowledge is innate or a priori, and that reason alone can provide knowledge of necessary truths.
• Argument from Reason: The argument that the existence of reason and rationality imply the existence of a rational creator.
• Argument from Relativism: The argument that all truth claims are relative to culture, language, or historical context, and that there are no objective or universal truths.
• Argument from Religious Experience: The argument that religious experiences provide evidence for the existence of God.
• Argument from Silence: Assuming that the lack of evidence for something is evidence that it does not exist or is not true. "There's no evidence that God exists, so God must not exist."
• Argument from Skepticism: The argument that we cannot be certain of anything beyond our own perceptions and mental states, and that all knowledge claims are inherently uncertain.
• Argument from Solipsism: The argument that we cannot be certain of anything except our own consciousness, and that the existence of other minds and the external world can only be inferred.
• Argument from the Impossibility of Infinite Regress: The argument that an infinite regress of causes is impossible, and that this implies the existence of a first cause.
• Argument from the Laws of Nature: The argument that the laws of nature imply the existence of a lawgiver.
• Argument from the Origin of the Universe: The argument that the Big Bang implies the existence of a creator.
• Argument from the Problem of Evil: The argument that the existence of evil is incompatible with the existence of an all-powerful and all-good God.
• Argument from Utilitarianism: The argument that the morality of an action is determined by its ability to maximize overall happiness or pleasure.
• Argument from Virtue Ethics: The argument that the morality of an action is determined by its conformity to the virtues or character traits of the agent.
• Argumentum ad Populum: Appealing to popular opinion or the majority rather than to evidence or reason. "Everyone knows that aliens are real, so it must be true."
• Atomism: A philosophical theory that holds that reality is ultimately composed of indivisible particles or atoms.
• Axiology: The branch of philosophy concerned with values, including ethical, aesthetic, and epistemic values.
• Bandwagon Fallacy: Assuming that something is true or good because it is popular or widely accepted. "Everyone is buying the new iPhone, so it must be the best phone on the market."
• Begging the Question: Assuming that a conclusion is true in the premise of the argument. "God exists because the Bible says so, and the Bible must be true because it was written by God" or "I am a good person because I always do good things."
• Behaviorism: A psychological theory that emphasizes the importance of observable behavior and environmental stimuli in shaping human behavior and this is without reference to internal mental states.
• Black or White Fallacy: Assuming that only two options exist, when in reality there are more. "You're either for us or against us."
• Burden of Proof: Shifting the burden of proof from the person making a claim to the person who questions it. "You can't prove that ghosts don't exist, so they must be real."
• Categorical imperative: A moral principle put forth by Immanuel Kant that states one should always act in a way that could be made into a universal law.
• Causal Determinism: The belief that every event is caused by a prior event, and that all events follow a chain of causation.
• Causation: The relationship between an event or action (the cause) and a subsequent event or action (the effect), or the process by which one event brings about another.
• Cherry-Picking: Selectively presenting evidence that supports one's argument while ignoring evidence that contradicts it. "The weather has been unusually cold this winter, so that proves that global warming isn't real."
• Circular Reasoning: Using the conclusion of an argument as a premise. "God exists because the Bible says so, and the Bible is the word of God."
• Cogito, ergo sum: Latin for "I think, therefore I am." This is a famous statement made by philosopher Rene Descartes, which he used to prove the existence of the self.
• Cognitive Science: The interdisciplinary study of the mind and its processes, including perception, attention, memory, and decision-making.
• Communism: A political philosophy that advocates for the collective ownership of the means of production and the establishment of a classless society.
• Communitarianism: The belief that individual identity is shaped by the community and its values, and that moral and ethical decisions must be made in the context of this community.
• Composition Fallacy: Assuming that something is true of the whole, based on the fact that it is true of some part of the whole. "These individual cells are all healthy, so the entire organism must be healthy."
• Composition/Division: Assuming that what is true of a part is also true of the whole, or vice versa. "The engine of this car is high-quality, so the whole car must be high-quality" or "This team is the best in the league, so all of the players on the team must be the best" or "Each brick in the wall is small and light, so the entire wall must be small and light."
• Consequentialism: A moral theory that evaluates the rightness or wrongness of an action based on its consequences or outcomes.
• Constructivism: The belief that knowledge is constructed by individuals through interaction with the world, and that reality is therefore socially constructed.
• Cosmological Argument: The argument that the existence of the universe requires an explanation, and that this explanation is God.
• Cosmopolitanism: The belief that all human beings have equal moral worth, regardless of nationality or other social distinctions, and that individuals have a responsibility to promote the well-being of all people.
• Critical Race Theory: The body of work that examines the intersection of race and power in society, and seeks to understand and address racial inequalities and oppression.
• Cultural Relativism: The belief that moral and ethical values are relative to the culture in which they are held, and that there is no objective standard of right or wrong.
• Dasein: A term used by Martin Heidegger to refer to the fundamental mode of being-in-the-world, characterized by self-awareness and a sense of temporal existence.
• Deconstruction: A method of literary analysis and philosophical inquiry that seeks to reveal and subvert the underlying assumptions and binary oppositions of a text or discourse. In other words, this philosophical method analyzes texts and language in order to uncover the underlying assumptions and contradictions within them.
• Deductive reasoning: A method of reasoning in which a conclusion follows logically from the premises.
• Deontology: A moral theory that emphasizes the importance of following moral rules and duties, regardless of their consequences.
• Determinism: The belief that all events, including human actions, are ultimately determined by prior causes and conditions, and that free will is an illusion.
• Dialectic: A method of arguments, counterarguments, or discussions that involves the exchange of opposing viewpoints in order to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of a concept or issue.
• Dialectical materialism: A Marxist theory that views historical and social change as the result of contradictions and conflicts between opposing social classes.
• Division Fallacy: Assuming that something is true of a part, based on the fact that it is true of the whole. "The company as a whole is profitable, so all of its departments must be profitable."
• Dualism: A philosophical theory that holds that reality is ultimately composed of two distinct or different things or substances in the world, such as mind and body.
• Egoism: A moral theory that holds that individuals should act in their own self-interest, even if this conflicts with the interests of others.
• Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.
• Empirical: Based on observation or experience, rather than on theory or speculation.
• Empiricism: A philosophical tradition that emphasizes the importance of experience and observation in gaining knowledge, or knowledge that comes primarily from sensory experience and observation.
• Environmental Ethics: The branch of ethics that examines the moral and ethical implications of human interactions with the natural world, and seeks to promote sustainable and responsible environmental practices.
• Epistemological skepticism: The philosophical position that knowledge is uncertain and that we cannot be certain of anything.
• Epistemology: The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature, sources, and limits of knowledge.
• Equivocation: Using a term with multiple meanings, and switching between them to make an argument appear stronger. "I'm going to the bank to deposit some fish."
• Ethics: The branch of philosophy concerned with moral principles and values, and their application to human behavior.
• Eudaimonia: A Greek term meaning "happiness" or "flourishing," often used in discussions of virtue ethics.
• Existence precedes essence: A concept used in existentialist philosophy to describe the idea that individuals create their own meaning and purpose in life through their actions and choices.
• Existential angst: A feeling of anxiety, dread, or despair that arises from the realization of the fundamental uncertainty and meaninglessness of human existence.
• Existentialism: A philosophical and literary movement that emphasizes the individual experience of freedom, choice, and responsibility in a meaningless or absurd world. This includes one’s search for meaning in life.
• Fallacious: In philosophy, this refers to an argument or reasoning that is flawed or erroneous. Fallacies are common errors in reasoning that can mislead people into accepting a conclusion that is not supported by evidence or logical analysis.
• Fallacy Fallacy: Dismissing an argument simply because it contains a fallacy. "You used the appeal to authority fallacy, so your argument is invalid."
• Fallacy of Sunk Costs: This fallacy is the argument that something should be continued because of the investment that has already been made in it, despite new evidence that it is not working. "We can't abandon this project now, we've already invested too much time and money in it."
• False Analogy: Comparing two things that are not actually similar in relevant ways. "Banning assault weapons is like banning all guns. It's a violation of our Second Amendment rights," or "Cars are like houses, so we should regulate them the same way we regulate houses," or "Banning assault rifles is like banning knives, because both can be used to kill people," or "The government is like a parent, and just like parents need to discipline their children, the government needs to discipline its citizens."
• False Authority: Citing an authority figure who is not an expert in the relevant field. "My dentist said I should vote for this candidate, so I will."
• False Balance: Giving equal weight to two sides of an argument, even when one side has overwhelming evidence in its favor. "Some scientists say climate change is real, but others disagree."
• False Cause: Assuming that because one event follows another, the first event must have caused the second. "I wore my lucky socks and my team won the game, so my lucky socks must have caused the win," or "I took an aspirin and my headache went away, so the aspirin must have cured my headache," or "I prayed for it to rain, and then it rained, so my prayer caused the rain."
• False Consensus: Assuming that everyone shares your beliefs or values. "Everyone knows that God exists, why do you even bother questioning it?"
• False Dichotomy: Assuming that there are only two possible options when there may be other possibilities. "Either we go to war or we let them attack us first," or "You're either with us or against us," or "Either you love America or you hate America”.
• False Dilemma: Assuming that there are only two options, when in reality there may be many more. "You're either with us or against us," or "Either we build a wall, or we let in all the criminals".
• False Equivalence: Comparing two things that are not actually comparable in a relevant way. "Banning smoking in public places is just like banning freedom of speech," or “People who drink coffee are just as bad as people who smoke cigarettes!" or "Being a vegetarian is just like being a Nazi."
• False Precedent: Arguing that because something has been done in the past, it should continue to be done in the future, regardless of changing circumstances or new information. "We've always had slavery, so we should keep having it."
• Fatalism: The belief that events are predetermined and inevitable, and that individuals have no control over their fate.
• Feminism: A social, political, and philosophical movement that advocates for gender equality and the dismantling of patriarchy. This states that efforts should be made to address and eliminate them.
• Feminist Theory: The body of work that seeks to understand and address gender-based inequalities and oppression, and promote gender equality and social justice.
• Functionalism: The theory that everything in the world can be explained by its function or purpose, rather than its material or physical properties.
• Gambler's Fallacy: Assuming that because something hasn't happened in a while, it is more likely to happen in the future. "I've flipped heads three times in a row, so the next flip must be tail," or "I lost the last 10 hands of poker, so I'm bound to win the next one."
• Genetic Fallacy: Dismissing an argument based on its source or origin. "I don't trust anything that comes from the mainstream media," or "I can't take that argument seriously, it came from a conspiracy theory website," or "I don't believe in evolution because it was proposed by an atheist," or "You can't trust that news source, it's run by liberals."
• Global Justice: The body of work that examines the moral and ethical implications of global inequalities and injustices, and seeks to promote social justice and equality on a global scale.
• Hasty Generalization: Drawing a broad conclusion based on insufficient evidence. "I met one rude person from New York, so everyone from New York must be rude."
• Hegelian dialectic: A philosophical method that involves the synthesis of opposing viewpoints or ideas in order to arrive at a higher level of understanding.
• Hegelianism: The philosophical system developed by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, which emphasizes the dialectical process of history and the ultimate reconciliation of opposing forces.
• Hegemony: The dominance of one social group or ideology over others, often achieved through cultural or political power.
• Humanism: A philosophical and ethical stances that emphasizes the importance of human values, dignity, culture, and freedom, and rejects supernatural or religious beliefs.
• Ideal observer theory: A moral theory that evaluates the rightness or wrongness of an action based on how it would be judged by an ideal observer who is fully informed and impartial.
• Idealism: A philosophical theory that emphasizes the importance of the mind or consciousness in understanding reality. This is the view that reality is ultimately mental or spiritual in nature, rather than material or physical.
• Intentionality: The property of mental states or processes that involves being "about" or directed toward an object or content.
• Loaded Language: Using emotionally charged words or phrases to influence someone's opinion. "Illegal aliens are flooding our country and stealing our jobs."
• Loaded Question: Asking a question that assumes a certain answer. "Why do you hate America?" or "Have you stopped beating your wife?"
• Logic: The branch of philosophy concerned with reasoning and argumentation.
• Logical positivism: A philosophical movement that emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence and scientific verification in the evaluation of truth claims.
• Logos: A Greek term used by philosophers to refer to the fundamental principles of order and knowledge that govern the universe.
• Marxism: The social and economic theory that emphasizes the importance of class struggle and the ultimate replacement of capitalism with socialism or communism.
• Material dialectics: A concept used in Marxist philosophy to describe the way in which material conditions and contradictions give rise to social change and historical progress.
• Materialism: A philosophical theory that emphasizes the importance of material objects and physical processes in understanding reality.
• Metaphysics: The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of reality and existence.
• Middle Ground Fallacy: Assuming that the correct answer must be somewhere between two extremes, without considering the possibility that one extreme might be correct. "Some people say we should ban all guns, while others say we should allow anyone to have any gun they want. The correct answer must be somewhere in the middle."
• Middle Ground Fallacy: Assuming that the middle ground between two extreme positions is always the best course of action. "Since one group wants to abolish the death penalty and another group wants to expand it, we should just keep it as is." Or "Some people think we should abolish all guns, while others think we should have no restrictions at all. I think we should meet in the middle and have some reasonable regulations," or, "The Republicans say we need to cut taxes, and the Democrats say we need to raise taxes, so we should compromise and keep taxes the same."
• Moral Argument: The argument that objective moral values and duties exist, and that these can only be explained by the existence of God.
• Moving the Goalposts: Changing the criteria for a successful argument after the argument has been made, in order to avoid being proven wrong. "I said that I would believe in climate change if the temperature rose by 2 degrees,” or "Okay, so maybe my theory doesn't explain everything yet, but I'm sure we'll find evidence for it eventually."
• Natural law: A moral or legal theory that holds that there are inherent principles or values that believes that certain moral principles are inherent in the natural world. These principles govern human behavior and can be discovered through reason.
• Naturalism: The belief that everything in the world can be explained by natural causes, without the need for supernatural explanations.
• Naturalistic Fallacy: Assuming that what is natural is inherently good or right. Example: "Humans are meant to eat meat, so it's morally justified to kill animals for food."
• Nihilism: A philosophical position that holds that life has no inherent meaning or value. The rejection of all religious, moral, and philosophical beliefs, often accompanied by a sense of despair or pessimism.
• Nirvana Fallacy: Rejecting a solution or proposal because it is not perfect or does not completely solve the problem. "I know this bill will reduce pollution, but it won't eliminate it completely, so I'm voting against it."
• No True Scotsman: Dismissing counterexamples to a claim by redefining the term in an ad hoc way. "No true Scotsman would put sugar in their porridge. Oh, you put sugar in your porridge? Well, then you're not a true Scotsman." Re-defining a term in order to exclude cases that contradict a claim such as "No true Christian would support abortion," or "No true Christian would support same-sex marriage."
• Non-Sequitur: A conclusion that does not logically follow from the premises. "All dogs are mammals. Therefore, all mammals are dogs."
• Noumenon: A concept used in Kantian philosophy to refer to the thing-in-itself, which exists independently of our perception or experience of it.
• Objectivism: A moral or philosophical theory that holds that there are objective moral or epistemological truths that can be discovered through reason or observation.
• Objectivity: The quality of being impartial, unbiased, or free from personal opinions or feelings.
• Ontological Argument: The argument that the existence of God can be proved by reason alone, based on the concept of God as the most perfect being.
• Ontology: The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of being and existence.
• Pascal's Wager: The argument that it is rational to believe in God, even in the absence of conclusive evidence, because the potential rewards of belief are so great.
• Personal Incredulity: Rejecting an argument or claim because it's difficult to understand or because it goes against your personal beliefs. "I can't believe that humans evolved from apes. It just seems too ridiculous," or "I can't believe in evolution, it's too complicated."
• Phenomenology of perception: A philosophical theory developed by Maurice Merleau-Ponty that emphasizes the embodied and situated nature of human perception. It’s a philosophical approach that emphasizes the subjective experience of consciousness and perception.
• Phenomenon: A concept used in Kantian philosophy to refer to the way in which things appear or are perceived by the mind.
• Platonism: The philosophical system developed by Plato, which emphasizes the existence of eternal, unchanging Forms or Ideas that underlie the material world.
• Poisoning the Well: Discrediting someone before they even have a chance to make their argument. "I don't know why you would listen to anything John has to say, he's a known liar."
• Positivism: A philosophical and scientific tradition that emphasizes the importance of empirical observation and verifiable evidence in gaining knowledge instead of using intuition or speculation.
• Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc: Assuming that because one event followed another, the first event caused the second. "I wore my lucky socks to the game and we won, so my socks must have helped us win."
• Postcolonial Theory: The body of work that examines the legacy of colonialism and imperialism, and seeks to understand and address the power imbalances and inequalities that continue to exist between former colonizing and colonized societies.
• Postcolonialism: A critical theory and intellectual movement that explores the cultural and political effects of colonialism and imperialism.
• Postmodernism: A philosophical and cultural movement that emphasizes the relativity, subjectivity, and instability of knowledge and meaning. This includes the importance of language and social construction.
• Pragmatism: A philosophical approach that emphasizes practical consequences of beliefs and ideas as well as the usefulness in solving problems.
• Primitivism: A belief in the superiority or desirability of primitive or traditional lifestyles, often accompanied by a rejection of modern technology and civilization.
• Principle of sufficient reason: The philosophical principle that holds that everything must have a sufficient reason or explanation for its existence or occurrence.
• Problem of Evil: The argument that the existence of evil and suffering in the world is incompatible with the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God.
• Queer Theory: The body of work that challenges traditional binary notions of gender and sexuality, and seeks to understand and address the complexities and diversity of human experience in these areas.
• Rationalism: A philosophical tradition that emphasizes the importance of reason and logical analysis in gaining knowledge. This is a view that knowledge can be obtained through reason and intuition, rather than sensory experience.
• Rationality: The quality of being logical, reasonable, and justifiable.
• Realism: A philosophical theory that holds that reality exists independently of our perception or experience of it.
• Red Herring: Bringing up an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the original issue. "I know I lied about my qualifications, but what about all the good things I've done for the company?" or "I know I cheated on my taxes, but what about all those politicians who cheat on their spouses?" or "We need to focus on gun control, not mental health issues," or "I know I didn't do my homework, but my dog is sick and needs to go to the vet," or "We need to focus on the economy, not on climate change."
• Reductionism: The belief that complex phenomena can be explained by reducing them to their component parts, and that all explanations ultimately reduce to fundamental scientific principles.
• Relativism: The philosophical position that holds that knowledge, truth, or morality are not absolute but rather depend on the particular cultural or historical context, culture, or perspective of the individual or group with no objective or universal standards.
• Skepticism: A philosophical approach that questions the possibility of knowledge, truth, or certainty. This position holds that it is impossible to know anything with certainty.
• Slippery Definition: Using vague or ambiguous language to make an argument that is difficult to pin down or refute. "Love is just a feeling, you can't really define it."
• Slippery Slope: Arguing that a small action will inevitably lead to a much larger, negative outcome without sufficient evidence. "If we let gay people get married, then soon people will be marrying their pets," or "If we legalize marijuana, next thing you know everyone will be doing heroin and society will crumble."
• Social contract theory: A political theory that attempts to explain the origins and nature of the state, and the relationship between individuals and their government. The theory holds that individuals give up some of their individual rights and freedoms to a government in exchange for protection and security. This social contract is based on the idea of mutual obligation and consent, where both the government and the governed agree to certain terms and obligations.
• Solipsism: A philosophical position that holds that the self is the only thing that can be known or verified to exist.
• Special Pleading: Making an exception for a particular case without providing sufficient justification. "I know I said lying is always wrong, but it's okay in this case because I didn't want to hurt her feelings."
• Straw Man: Misrepresenting an opponent's argument in order to make it easier to attack. "My opponent wants to take away your freedom by banning guns," or "My opponent wants to take away our guns and leave us defenseless against criminals," or "The Democrats want open borders, which means they want to let in all the criminals and terrorists," or "You're saying we should just let people do whatever they want? That's a recipe for anarchy!" or "My opponent wants to take away your freedom and control your life," or, "My opponent thinks that we should have no restrictions on guns. That's a ridiculous position."
• Structural-functionalism: A sociological theory that emphasizes the interrelatedness and interdependence of social institutions and their functions in maintaining social order.
• Structuralism: A method of analysis that seeks to uncover the underlying structures and patterns that shape language, culture, and society.
• Teleological Argument: The argument that the complexity and order of the universe imply the existence of a designer or creator.
• Teleology: The philosophical study of purpose, goals, or ends in nature or human affairs… the purpose or design in nature.
• Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy: Cherry-picking data in order to find patterns that fit a preconceived notion. "My horoscope said I would have a good day, and I did, so horoscopes must be true." or "Look at all these studies that show my diet plan works! Oh, those other studies that show it doesn't work? They're just outliers." Or "I know that eating vegetables is bad for me because the last time I ate a vegetable, I got sick." This fallacy is the selective use of data or evidence to support a position while ignoring contradictory data or evidence. "The stock market is up, so our economic policies must be working." Or "Look at these data points that support my argument, and ignore all the ones that contradict it."
• Transcendence: The ability to rise above or go beyond ordinary experience, often associated with spiritual or mystical experiences.
• Tu Quoque: Accusing someone of hypocrisy in order to avoid addressing their argument. "You can't criticize my drinking; you drink just as much as I do!" Attempting to defend your own wrongdoing by pointing out the wrongdoing of others. "Why are you criticizing me for cheating on me when you cheat on me all the time?" or "You can't criticize me for cheating on my taxes when you cheated on your diet." Basically, not following your own advice, such as "You say we should recycle, but you don't recycle yourself," or "You can't say smoking is bad for my health when you smoke too."
• Universalism: The belief in the existence of universal principles or values that apply to all people and cultures.
• Utilitarianism: A moral theory that emphasizes the importance of maximizing overall happiness or pleasure in making moral decisions. This theory evaluates the rightness or wrongness of an action based on its ability to maximize overall happiness or pleasure for the greatest number of people.
• Virtue ethics: A moral theory that emphasizes the development of virtuous character traits, such as courage, honesty, and compassion, as the basis for ethical decision-making.
• Zeitgeist: A German term meaning "spirit of the times," often used to describe the cultural, intellectual, and social climate of a particular historical period.
• Zen: A Buddhist philosophy that emphasizes the importance of achieving enlightenment. This is a philosophical and religious tradition originating in China and Japan, which emphasizes the cultivation of mindfulness, meditation, and non-attachment to achieve enlightenment.
• Zeno's paradoxes: A series of paradoxes presented by the Greek philosopher Zeno of Elea, which challenge the possibility of motion and change by demonstrating the inherent contradictions in our understanding of space, time, and infinity.

 

Philosophy has its limits such as:

1. The limits of human understanding: There may be some questions that are beyond the limits of human understanding, either due to the limitations of our cognitive abilities or the limits of the universe itself.
2. The limits of language: Language is a powerful tool for communication and reasoning, but it also has its limits. There may be concepts that are difficult to express in language or that are lost in translation.
3. The limits of evidence: Philosophy often deals with abstract concepts and ideas that may not be subject to empirical verification. As a result, there may be limits to the evidence that can be used to support philosophical arguments.
4. The limits of objectivity: Philosophical inquiry often involves subjective perspectives and values. There may be limits to the extent to which these perspectives can be reconciled or objectively evaluated.
5. The limits of consensus: Philosophy often involves debate and disagreement, and it may be difficult to achieve consensus on certain issues. There may be limits to the extent to which philosophical debates can be resolved or conclusions reached.

 

By contrast, here are some reasons why philosophy is important:

1. Helps us understand ourselves: Philosophy helps us to understand our beliefs, values, and assumptions about the world and our place in it. It helps us to reflect on our own thoughts and actions, and to develop a deeper understanding of our own identity.
2. Promotes critical thinking: Philosophy encourages critical thinking and reasoning skills, which are essential for making informed decisions and understanding complex issues. It teaches us to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and evaluate arguments and evidence.
3. Provides a framework for ethical decision-making: Philosophy provides a framework for ethical decision-making, helping us to think through moral dilemmas and make reasoned judgments about right and wrong.
4. Advances knowledge: Philosophy contributes to the advancement of knowledge by exploring new ideas and concepts, and by challenging existing beliefs and assumptions.
5. Fosters interdisciplinary dialogue: Philosophy fosters interdisciplinary dialogue, encouraging collaboration between different fields of study and facilitating a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of different aspects of human experience.

 

Philosophy, despite its inherent limitations, remains a discipline of immense importance and value. In fact, these limitations serve as catalysts that compel us to delve deeper into the nature of reality, knowledge, and human experience. They prompt us to explore the fundamental questions that shape our understanding of the world: What is the true nature of reality? What does it mean to be human? How do we acquire knowledge? What are the foundations of ethics and values?

 

Philosophy invites us to engage in critical thinking, reflection, and open-minded inquiry into the most significant and intricate issues facing humanity. It challenges us to grapple with the complexities of existence and to seek meaningful answers to these profound questions. In doing so, it expands our intellectual horizons and broadens our perspectives. While philosophy may not offer definitive solutions or absolute certainties, it encourages us to explore different philosophical perspectives and engage in robust debates. Through philosophical inquiry, we cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves, others, and the world around us. We learn to think critically, analyze arguments, and evaluate evidence, enhancing our ability to make informed decisions and navigate the complexities of life.

 

Moreover, philosophy fosters intellectual humility by acknowledging that our understanding is subject to revision and that there are limits to our knowledge. It encourages us to question assumptions, challenge dogmas, and embrace the uncertainty inherent in the pursuit of truth. By embracing this intellectual humility, we become more receptive to new ideas and more willing to reconsider our own beliefs, fostering personal growth and intellectual maturity. Ultimately, the significance of philosophical inquiry lies not in the provision of ready-made answers but in the process itself. Philosophy invites us to engage with the world and with our own existence in a profound and meaningful way. It encourages us to reflect on the nature of reality, grapple with ethical dilemmas, and seek meaning in our lives. Through philosophical exploration, we gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities and nuances of human existence, and we become better equipped to navigate the intricate tapestry of our shared human experience.

 

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Originally posted on Wordpress on 10-22-2017