Hi Although some people, probably further down the "food chain", undoubtedly "believe" that Obama was not born in the USA, it appears equally likely that many of the proponents of this view probably do not "believe" it (i.e., think it is true). What they believe is that promoting this false view will further their political agenda. A recent example from Higher Education (perhaps mentioned on TIPs) illustrates the same point. Excerpts from lectures were used by a conservative to promote the view that professors were advocating violence as a form of revolt. But the excerpts were in fact the professors making statements about what others had said (e.g., in a video the class had viewed) but with the context removed. It appears unlikely that the people who did this did not realize they were misrepresenting what happened in the classroom (pardon the double / triple negative). More likely, they did not care about the reality, but wanted to further their political agenda. Both liberals and conservatives are capable of such actions, although it would be interesting to see what an objective assessment of the frequency of such acts reveals about the two sides. It would also be interesting to see how people who view themselves as the "moral majority" or the "rational minority" rationalize such acts. Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca
>>> Allen Esterson <allenester...@compuserve.com> 01-May-11 9:59 AM >>> On 30 April 2011 Mike Palij wrote: >As teachers, researchers, and psychologists, we need to focus on >the use of facts, valid modes of argumentation, and critical analysis >even if powerful forces in society avoid their use. >http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/29/dont-stop-believing/?nl= todaysheadlines&emc=thab1 Mike had in mind particularly the absurd "birthers" movement, which exhibits a specific American right-wing mind-set deriving from dubious political and no doubt underlying racists notions. As I expect Mike would agree (and the responses to Obama's displaying his passport bear this out), most of the people strongly endorsing such views are immune to what Mike refers to as "valid modes of argument" in relation to their belief, but one would hope that challenging the belief with documentable facts will have an effect on the wider public previously willing to give credence to the story. Have their been any polls to see if Obama's rebuttal has had much effect? More generally, the problem as I see it with the "valid modes of argument" notion is that (e.g., in the case of conspiracy or similar theories) the proponents frequently *are* using rational modes of argument * within the context of what they take to be the facts of the matter. And if some of the basic alleged facts are rebutted, proponents come up with rational modes of argument to explain why the rebuttals are invalid. Other than by spelling out the ascertainable facts for the benefit of those willing to seriously examine the issue, while being honest about areas where there is genuine uncertainty, I'm not optimistic about the extent that widely-believed dubious contentions can be countered. Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London allenester...@compuserve.com http://www.esterson.org ( http://www.esterson.org/ ) ------------------------------------------------- From:Mike Palij <m...@nyu.edu> Subject:When Belief Trumps Facts Date:Sat, 30 Apr 2011 08:21:15 -0400 For those who are concerned with how critical thinking (or the lack of it) affects society, an opinion piece in the NY Times on why birtherism and its offshoots won't die; see: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/29/dont-stop-believing/?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=thab1 As teachers, researchers, and psychologists, we need to focus on the use of facts, valid modes of argumentation, and critical analysis even if powerful forces in society avoid their use. -Mike Palij New York University m...@nyu.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9&n=T&l=tips&o=10321 or send a blank email to leave-10321-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=10322 or send a blank email to leave-10322-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
