Aurora Australis
http://thekingpin68.blogspot.com/2008/07/fideism.html
Appeal to Belief (Ad Populum)
According to Conway and Munson, this fallacy consists in asserting that a claim is true because people generally believe it is. This type of inference is in error because there is no reason to take what most persons believe as a reliable indicator of what is true. Conway and Munson (1997: 127). The authors note that the most common use of this fallacy is to have the premise that most persons in the world believe in God. The conclusion being that it must be true that God exists. Conway and Munson (1997: 127).
Even if it is true that most persons in the world believe in God, it does not suffice for evidence for God’s existence. I can ask; ‘Which God'? Revelation from God in our actual world can serve as one indicator of God’s existence, and natural theology and philosophical deductions concerning God can serve as another indicator of God’s existence. These two indicators could serve as premises in a formulation of an argument with a conclusion that God exists, and these are not merely appeals to popular opinion. Within Christian tradition an appeal to revealed Scripture is an appeal to documented historical interaction between God and persons, and with natural theology and philosophy, the existence of God is reasoned through deduced concepts concerning reality, which are reasoned to point toward the existence of a first cause creator.
CONWAY DAVID A. AND RONALD MUNSON (1997) The Elements of Reasoning, Wadsworth Publishing Company, New York.
From the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, California State University
http://www.iep.utm.edu/f/fallacy.htm#Appeal%20to%20the%20People
Appeal to the People
If you suggest too strongly that someone's claim or argument is correct simply because it's what most everyone believes, then you've committed the fallacy of appeal to the people. Similarly, if you suggest too strongly that someone's claim or argument is mistaken simply because it's not what most everyone believes, then you've also committed the fallacy. Agreement with popular opinion is not necessarily a reliable sign of truth, and deviation from popular opinion is not necessarily a reliable sign of error, but if you assume it is and do so with enthusiasm, then you're guilty of committing this fallacy. It is also called mob appeal, appeal to the gallery, argument from popularity, and argumentum ad populum. The 'too strongly' is important in the description of the fallacy because what most everyone believes is, for that reason, somewhat likely to be true, all things considered. However, the fallacy occurs when this degree of support is overestimated.
Example:
You should turn to channel 6. It's the most watched channel this year.
This is fallacious because of its implicitly accepting the questionable premise that the most watched channel this year is, for that reason alone, the best channel for you.
End
Some fun paraphrased statements
From a church acquaintance friend in the church eating area:
She: I am really concerned about you. If you do not %#@%&^ buy that CPAP machine soon for your sleep apnea, and you die, I will be angry with you forever in heaven.
She had asked me out for lunch a couple of times previously and I had said sure, but I did not follow up with it. I think I was on to something…
Two women my friend and I met in Manhattan on a date via Christian Cafe:
She: You (me) are quite normal, but your friend (Documentary Man from England) is like a talking Encyclopedia.
Chatting with a woman on Yahoo Messenger from Asia:
She: I want to spend more time with you.
Me: Sorry this is Yahoo Messenger and I have a PhD to finish, but I do like being friends.
Chatting on Yahoo Messenger and MSN with a woman in Africa:
She: You should move to my African country (she has asked me more than once over the years), as you will be treated like royalty here.
Me: Sorry, I am strictly a first world type of guy, especially after four degrees as a full-time student without full-time income. I am not going to live in the third world, God willing.
Chatting with a woman on MSN after one local date:
She: Now I require that you tell me five things you remember about me from our date. You must get these right.
Me (thinking): You are out of here…
On a date from someone from Vancouver Island :
Me: I collect some live bootleg albums of live performances.
She: I really hate more than one version of one song, ever.
She makes a big deal of this issue.
Me (thinking): We are done…hooray.
An email from a Eastern European scammer:
She (after I blew the whistle): I love you.
Me: Boy, I must be really special!
Yeah Russ,
ReplyDeleteI have had times when I was the only one right, and everyone else wrong. And the people actually say, "Oh, you are right and everyone else is wrong".
And of course, I believe that most people are too narrow minded. This being the reason I can see something they can not.
Jim
Hopefully as bloggers we can seek objective truth from relevant academic disciplines and in everyday practical life.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jim.
Russ
Russ,
ReplyDeleteI also intended to say that I appear as if I am arrogant. I just came to a point where I realized I was not helping people to give soft deliveries. If I am wrong, they will have to study harder to show me.
I was wondering if you ever see my blogs on the BlogRush widget. I have seen yours on more than one occassion.
Jim
I have not been paying too much attention to BlogRush lately. I check TrafficJam at times for the seemingly rather subjective article rankings and use BlogRush as a secondary sources for keeping track of my traffic, although both my theology blogs are counted together as opposed to Statcounter where each individual blog is counted separately.
ReplyDeleteRuss:)
Rush interrupted during solo...first American television performance in 33 years
ReplyDeleteJuly 16, 2008
I put this show on DVD. The behaviour of the host was 'bush'.
I realize the interruption was probably a comedy gag, but it was still 'bush'.
I thought the clip was funny, but it would have made more sense if they were playing something like Xanadu or Natural Science. Tom Sawyer is not really a long tune.
ReplyDeleteIt's the host's way of making a statement about the short attention span of most people these days.
But yeah, he could have done it in a less 'bush' way, maybe without the interruption, but just the last big where he is at his desk while Rush plays in the background.
she: Those "Rush" people are pretty rude not to stop playing when the host wanted them to.
ReplyDeleteme: Goodbye...don't call me, I'll call you...
Actually...since you know that Rush was a willing participant in the skit, it was pretty funny. This is just another reminder that with all their "intellectual" and complex music, they really know how to have fun! But all you have to do is watch them in concert to know that, right?
Thanks for the clip!
I agree Chucky, thanks.
ReplyDeleteGGM, cheers.
I still do not like the fact that they were interrupted right during the solo and would have preferred the skit to cut them off near the end of the song. But, I agree that they likely went along with the interruption and obviously Colbert had the blanket and pillow ready.
Yes, I agree Rush clowns around but they usually play through a song, even if with some silliness.
I would have preferred a different song or instrumental to be played, but Tom Sawyer is still very good.
Russ:)
Russ,
ReplyDeleteAccording to Conway and Munson, this fallacy consists in asserting that a claim is true because people generally believe it is.
Oh, you mean like the idea that Obama will make a good president?
Jim,
ReplyDeleteI have had times when I was the only one right, and everyone else wrong.
Shoot, that's standard for me!
(j/k)
If it does not go well he could be...
ReplyDeleteObomba
A key is to change one's mind quickly when one is wrong.
ReplyDeleteHey Jeff,
ReplyDeleteThen I guess we could both disagree to agree. haha.
Hey Russ,
ReplyDeleteWhat's up man?
I thought Vicki and I were granted complete passage.
Were you aware of this? Vicki posted a comment to you and it went through.
I posted a comment, and it went through. Now your dissin us, man.
???
ReplyDeleteI publish, or at least moderate, everything that comes in. There have seen some complaints with this site, as the odd comment has not made it to blog moderation. It is a Blogger problem I assume.
With the other blog, sometimes the comments do not arrive by email, but I can see them on site.
Please resend. I have never blocked any of your family comments.
Russ:)
Russ,
ReplyDeleteWhat I am saying is, in the recent past, like a week or less, my wife and I were put through without moderation. Either that, or you were sitting with your fingers at the ready.
You have not missed anything. I was saying, I feel dist, because I have to wait for moderation, again. All in fun, Russ.
I was able to get approved quickly though.
Jim
Russ said,
ReplyDelete"A key is to change one's mind quickly when one is wrong".
I would like to know how to do that. Abra Cadabre, Hokus pokus, twitch my nose or (the one I am completely incapable and willing to do) bat my eye lashes and throw a pony tale.
Either that, or you were sitting with your fingers at the ready.
ReplyDeleteYup.
Everyone has to be moderated and my two recent blog trolls demonstrate why.;) Otherwise we would have a comments section with the 'f' word in it.
Well Big Jim and JJ, I am going for a walk and then will try and get Bobby Buff to comment on here as I visit with him.
Put on your shades as he wears Crisco.
Russ
It is called:
ReplyDelete1) Deleting and/or editing portions of written material
2) Deleting and/or editing portions of comments
:)
Have a good night, Russ and Jeff.
ReplyDeleteI check in with you guys at about 5:30 every morning.
Jim
That is appreciated, Jim.
ReplyDeleteTake it easy.
Russ:)
Have a good night, Jim.
ReplyDeleteSince I don't have to be at work until 1:00, I sometimes don't get up till close to noon.
Yes, I go to bed late and get up late morning, often. With the sleep apnea I do not fall asleep right away usually and so I tend to stay up until I am really tired.
ReplyDeleteNot fully related here, but the part about evidence of God reminded me of a quote I love : Earth is crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God; but only he who sees takes off his shoes. The rest sit around it and pluck blackberries." Elizabeth Barret Browning
ReplyDeleteThanks, Odd Facts.:)
ReplyDeleteHey Russ,
ReplyDeleteWe have a new blogger here in Richmond named Kait.
Here is her site address http://cyandlillian.blogspot.com/
Give her a visit and encourage her. I told her I was sending traffic.
Jim
Thanks, Jim.
ReplyDeleteI left a comment.:)
Hey Russ, (slightly different from the other)
ReplyDeleteI have a new friend for you to say hello to. I told her to expect Jeff and yourself. Her name is Amy. In fact, any of your readers may say hello. http://momof4savedbygrace.blogspot.com/
Currently, she is a mother of four. She is excited that her children just came back from camp and have had intimacy with The Lord. She also has a private struggle she would like prayer for.
Jim
Thanks, Jim.
ReplyDeleteI will look.