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Destone

Why is this even a fallacy?

Why is logic chopping aka splitting hairs a fallacy? If you are questioning something that someone has claimed isn't it rational to make questions? Am I the only one that is confused too? at what point is my questioning fallacious because the examples given in the book are clearly relevant, it is not like if someone has to move their car it's wrong to make sceptical questions of whether he should move his car, the person trying to move his car clearly elaborates that it is because it slows down traffic, so it is not a big deal, it's not really changing the subject or anything.
asked on Sunday, Jan 16, 2022 09:37:15 AM by Destone

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Ed F writes:

The definition of "logic chopping " (..."focusing on trivial details instead of directly addressing the main issue in dispute"), reminded me on first reading of the logical fallacies being discussed yesterday, argument by selective reading and selective attention.  But unlike these latter fallacies, which at least deal with something of substance of the original argument (even if not the main point), logic chopping seems to go off the rails and not deal at all with the original argument. 

posted on Sunday, Jan 16, 2022 12:03:30 PM

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Uncomfortable Ideas: Facts don't care about feelings. Science isn't concerned about sensibilities. And reality couldn't care less about rage.

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Many of our ideas about the world are based more on feelings than facts, sensibilities than science, and rage than reality. We gravitate toward ideas that make us feel comfortable in areas such as religion, politics, philosophy, social justice, love and sex, humanity, and morality. We avoid ideas that make us feel uncomfortable. This avoidance is a largely unconscious process that affects our judgment and gets in the way of our ability to reach rational and reasonable conclusions. By understanding how our mind works in this area, we can start embracing uncomfortable ideas and be better informed, be more understanding of others, and make better decisions in all areas of life.

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Bo Bennett, PhD
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The key here is being pedantic. It is a form of red herring where the main point is avoided or overlooked due to that which is irrelevant. In terms of reason, it is sacrificing reason for logic... like arguing with a computer because a computer can only process instructions and not understand the subtext of human communication.
answered on Sunday, Jan 16, 2022 09:43:46 AM by Bo Bennett, PhD

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