We just received our copy of Nathaniel and Hans Bluedorn's [url=http://www.christianlogic.com/catalog/the_fallacy_detective.htm][i]The Fallacy Detective[/i][/url], which we'll be using to introduce the boy to the study of logic.  It's very cool becuase it uses [i]Dilbert[/i] and [i]Calvin and Hobbes[/i] cartoons to illustrate the fallacies.  The authors' sister, Johannah, also contributes a cartoon called [i]Nuna and Toodles[/i] to fill in the rest.  You know I like cartoons.

You also know that I experience no shortage of disillusionment with public schools, so it comes as no surprise that I can't believe that logic is rarely taught.  Ask yourself how it's possible to teach kids in 7th-12th grades how to think when they have no background in logic.  All you can teach them is what to think.  And I think that's exactly how public schools want it.

Here are [url=http://www.christianlogic.com/articles/short_list_of_fallacies.htm]three very common fallacies[/url] that pop up almost daily:
[quote][b]4. Tu Quoque (You Too): [/b] Where someone dismisses your viewpoint on an issue because you are yourself inconsistent in that very thing.

Fred: “I wouldn’t smoke cigarettes if I were you. It is a bad habit and it will bring you all kinds of problems.” Jake: “Don’t tell me not to smoke. You do it, too.”
“I don’t see what is wrong with speeding – everybody does it.”

[b]5. Faulty Appeal to Authority:[/b] Where someone appeals to the authority of someone who has no special knowledge in the area they are discussing.

My car mechanic says the best way to fix computer problems is to just give the computer a good, sharp kick.
Bert: “I’ve been homeschooled all of my life, and I think it has helped me out a lot.” Clyde: “The man who has the highest IQ in the world said he didn’t think homeschooling turned out good citizens. He said he didn’t think homeschoolers received enough socialization, so they will become social misfits. Do you still think homeschooling is a good idea?”

[b]6. Appeal to the People:[/b] Where someone claims his viewpoint is correct just because many other people agree with it.

Political Candidate: “My opponent says abortion is murder – despite the fact that a recent poll concluded 76% of Americans believe an abortion does not murder an innocent child.”
It looks as if more people vacation in Florida than any other place. It must be the nicest place in America to visit.[/quote]

Of course, these are the ones the teachers are guilty of. :D

My Mind is Clean