Aristotle Saves Obama!
Thursday, 15 January 2009 05:44 | 
| 
| 
| |
I had a situation on Facebook where I felt compelled to respond to a friend who made some fallacies of logic and argumentation. For Christians who envy "Truth" it shouldn't matter if the issue at hand is theological, scientific, political or whatever. When you understand the rules of logic, it is easier to see the errors in your own thinking and the propositions of others. Check out the debate concerning "methodologies" used to discredit Obama by clicking the read more.
Displaying the only posted item.
Report Item
Friend 1
Guys, watch this video - this is RIDICULOUS - if you voted for Obama, don't watch it - you will be embarrassed....and the rest of us will be laughing at you!!!
Friend 1 I appreciate your political passion. We need more engaged people like you. But, this is video uses a straw man argument. It assumes that Obama is illegitimate because some people are ignorant of political facts. I can go find a group of Bible Belt Republicans and ask them the same questions and get the same results. Will it prove that McCain was not a qualified president. No, because attacking the political awareness of a limited poll does not justify that logic. (www.jackhakimian.com)
Friend 2
Friend 1 where do you get all that energy from ?
Friend 3
LOL - Take it easy guys ... wow Mr. Hakimian you must have voted for Obama. Its just sad that people are out there making decisions that affect our nation that are not really aware of much.
thanks Friend 1 it made me laugh on a tough Monday morning:)
thanks Friend 1 it made me laugh on a tough Monday morning:)
Friend 1
Jack,hiya doing my brother? I do appreciate a good discussion. This is one of many many interviews with Obama voters...and the Majority of results are the same. It was a huge Hype, the blind leading the blind...these are real voters , real people. People were euphoric, Joyous, in la la land " Oh yes we can " , but completely uninformed :-( - Jesus and God come before any skin color or race, and many African Americans dumped their Jesus in the trash and voted for a Historic first Black President . There is nothing wrong with a Black President at all, I welcome him with open arms. But not the most liberal Abortion and Gay supporter, with 130 days of experience under his belt - Yes, you can find any group for anything, I am sure there is a Bible Belt Republican group out there somewhere, but if they are saved by the blood, and have repented from their sins, even being stupid or uninformed, they will be going to heaven when they die
Friend 3 why should we take it easy when we were not upset. Me and Friend 1 have been respectfully and passionately debating politics and ethics for the last few months. We are good friends and dont take these issues personally. Secondly who I voted for is not the issue. I was not defending Obama, but the logic used (METHODOLOGY) to discredit the campaign and ultimately say this is why he became president.
Why not just say, more people, some thinking and some non thinking agreed with his views or believed he would do a better job in dealing some of the issues (economy, foreign policy, education, etc) whole others like the non-thinkers just liked his personality or presence more.
This is the logic of that VIDEO and ultimately Friend 1:
PREMISE 1: The people who voted for Obama are not politically knowledgeable
PREMISE 2: Obama was voted into the presidency
CONCLUSION: Therefore Obama became president because ignorant people voted him into the presidency.
Friend 3 and Friend 1 what is wrong with that logic? Again this is not about me,who I voted for, about us being angry, or anything else that diverts the attention away from the issue at hand.
It is about using proper logic and truth statements and come up with logical conclusions.
This is the logic of that VIDEO and ultimately Friend 1:
PREMISE 1: The people who voted for Obama are not politically knowledgeable
PREMISE 2: Obama was voted into the presidency
CONCLUSION: Therefore Obama became president because ignorant people voted him into the presidency.
Friend 3 and Friend 1 what is wrong with that logic? Again this is not about me,who I voted for, about us being angry, or anything else that diverts the attention away from the issue at hand.
It is about using proper logic and truth statements and come up with logical conclusions.
Remember an argument is only good as the 1st premise. So again what is wrong with Friend 1 video and of course Friend 3 affirming words of Friend 1 video,
"Its just sad that people are out there making decisions that affect our nation that are not really aware of much."
"Its just sad that people are out there making decisions that affect our nation that are not really aware of much."
Conclusion:
My engagement in this argument is not to defend Obama parse. But do defend the "methods" or "means" we use to make propositions and build premises. This issue discussed is pretty trivial in comparison to other major issues. But, imagine that some leaders & people make unthoughtful statements and decisions that effect people on a grand or micro level in such destructive ways.
If we as Christians don't understand how to spot truth and error we will not be able to bring about the kind of change needed in ourselves and others around us. The rules of logic must be first applied into our lives, our thoughts and our actions. The real issue is, are there any contradictions in our lives that are making the conclusions of our choices dysfunctional. Are we living a contradictory lives?
If so, let's not deny it, or rationalize the logical fallacy away! Amen! That is where philosophy ends and JESUS begins. He is the cleanser of our soul who deeply longs to restore and change our character. He will speak TRUTH day by day into your inner man and give you the power to LIVE out that truth by the power of the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. Yes the POWER that raised Jesus from the dead resides in you and can empower you in every good dimension of your life. Today will you walk by faith! Will you choose to TRUST Christ despite the pain or the visible facts!
Matthew 17:20
20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
(from New International Version)
Remember faith does not deny reality, but speaks TRUTH INTO reality. Truth is telling it the way it really is. We have enough credible evidence based on visible present and historical events to believe that God works the "night shift" and is moving like "wind" in the invisible.
20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
(from New International Version)
Remember faith does not deny reality, but speaks TRUTH INTO reality. Truth is telling it the way it really is. We have enough credible evidence based on visible present and historical events to believe that God works the "night shift" and is moving like "wind" in the invisible.
God Bless and continue thinking and sharing your thoughts and gifts with others Y'ALL!
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Category: /
