-Travis "one things lead to another..." Edmunds
Meaning that, no matter what one says, it always opens up at least one more door.
From: "Dan Minette" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: Killer Bs Discussion <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Killer Bs Discussion" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Are ad honomin attacks ever justified? Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 11:48:58 -0600
There's a good general rule about attacking the idea put forth by someone, not the person. But, I've noticed that we all make exceptions to that rule. I was musing on when those exceptions are justified, and when they are not.
Let me ask a number of questions:
If a preacher regularly preaches against adultery, does finding that he has been cheating on his wife with multiple partners over the last 30 years diminish his authority to keep on admonishing others? Especially, if he denies it? Does he need to publicly confront his own sinfulness before continuing to admonish others for theirs?
If a popular expert on child rearing turns out to have really botched the rearing of their own children, does that lower one's opinion of their work?
Is it fair to bring up that someone railing against those drug users was an illegal drug user himself for much of the time? Is it fair to point out that he yells and screams about police action against him that was in line with what he advocated for others?
Is it relevant to argue that a policy being advocated by one's political opposition is in the personal best interest of themselves and their friends? Is it a fair criticism to state they are doing it for personal instead of public reasons?
If someone was given a bye from going to Viet Nam because of who his daddy was; is that at all relevant his ability to talk about those who opposed the war being unpatriotic?
If someone slides by a homicide conviction because of political connections, is that at all relevant to any of his statements; even statements criticizing his political opponents for using political connections for personal gain? Is there some need to acknowledge that he did it too; especially since his case was a far more serious offence?
I'd like to propose that we still refrain from attacking each other's motives for writing, but that some of the discussions of who's opinions we respect can take in to account situations like I've described above. I'd also like to suggest that, when we do, we make the linkage explicit. For example, "I have a hard time accepting any claim by Ted Kennedy of his opponents using their political power for personal gain because he used his political power to get off a vehicular homicide conviction without even a trial. He should either address his own sins in that manner or shut up about the lesser sins of others."
or
"I have a very hard time taking anything Rush says seriously because he uses the very loopholes he condemns for others. He seems to be motivated more by the right people getting by than a genuine concern about the nation."
I'm proposing this as an aid to pleasant, spirited discussions, instead of a rule I want enforced. If someone wants to respond by personally insulting me; I'm not going to try to get them censured. It is merely my opinion concerning how we can have more fun and less angst in our debates.
I would also, personally, like more arguments based on reason, and fewer on emotion. I get emotional too, don't get me wrong. But, I enjoy trying to find what the best solution is more than simply reinforcing my own ideas. I try to be as hard or harder on demanding good arguments in favor of things I believe in than those opposed. In this manner, I hope to both improve my understanding, and better support those things I believe in. If the arguments of an opponent are so strong that I cannot find sufficient support, then I try to be open to changing my mind. I know, for example, that Gautam and I have changed each others minds on several points.
Dan M.
Dan M.
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