Fallacies are one small part of logic. We as students (most certainly, we are all students) need to study logic to the praise of good logic and the rectification of bad logic. Studying fallacies (despite some of their irksome labels) is a fun and easy way to be able to sort through the arguments of our times. As I post the fallacies from time to time, my meaning will become more clear as you are introduced to the terms, see how they are used, and can begin applying them to life.
I will start by naming some fallacies of distraction. These occur when someone misses the point or draws his hearers away from the point he is trying to make. Later, if you prefer, we will address fallacies of ambiguity and form. Further, the fastest way to fry your modem is to point out my own faulty logic.
Lessons in Logic
Fallacies of Distraction
Fallacy #1 – Ipse Dixit
Ipse dixit is the “because I said so” fallacy. It occurs when when a non-authority is cited as the reason for something. The fallacy takes this form, “[Respected person] says [fill in the blank], therefore it must be true.” Such as…
”Of course Mountain Dew causes cancer, my teacher told me so.”
Now, unfortunately, the statement above may true, but not because a teacher said so. Generally, teachers are not trained in oncology or interplanetary life or end times. This is not to promote a distrust in teachers or dads who talk big with their kids (i.e. Calvin’s dad–of Calvin and Hobbes) or spouting preachers getting waaaay off topic. It’s simply a statement that just because it’s said by an authority does not make it truth.
From real life…
When I was in high school, a visiting evangelist came to my school’s chapel and declared the date which Christ would return. I remember how unsettling that was to me because it was, like totally, just a short time before I was supposed to graduate.
I don’t doubt that the evangelist was an authority in certain areas, but I am skeptical that he has sat with the Trinity at a calendar meeting.
Beware the ipse dixit.
Also, I would welcome you to comment with any ipse dixits of your own.
OK, Ryan, I’m game. When mom tells her son that he is not to wear shoes in the house, and he asks “why?”, is it ipse dixit if she says, “because I said so”?
And another problem: is the song “Jesus Loves Me” an example of ipse dixit?
Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.
In fact, in general, are we using ipse dixit if we assert something, and then for proof say “the Bible says so”?
Our kids need to learn to obey when we give commands…simply because the command is given. If my boys won’t obey Chrissy or me unhesitatingly, promptly and sweetly, they won’t obey God those ways either.
At the same time, they should know that we aren’t just blowing smoke and sending them on errands simply because we are on a power trip. If they don’t sense purpose and trust that there is a purpose in our commands, certainly this would bend them toward distrust.
Right, I don’t have a problem with the “because I said so” command if it is used sparingly and if we and our kids recognize that we are truly legitimate authorities. The fallacy is directed to the illegitimate authority.
Good, pertinent question for us all to think through, Dave.
Good answer. We have this discussion with every fresh class of Logic students. Parents come in frustration (because their child found a new tool, and wants to use it against them). “Every time I say, ‘because I said so’, they call it…”
Wrong answer (on their part). Ipse dixit refers to an appeal to an illegitimate authority, which parents are not, when it comes to commanding their children.
On the other hand, parents can use their authority illegitimately. And, at some point, their children will be able to discern this.
What about the “Jesus Loves Me” stuff, though?!
Oh, yes. I forgot to put you off on the “Jesus Loves Me” stuff.
I don’t see an ipse dixit here because the Bible is never an illegitimate authority on anything.
Instead, there is another fallacy (of form) related to circular reasoning that some will use that is somewhat similar to this. We’ll come to that later.
True again. Its all good, as they say. Ipse Dixit refers to illegitimate appeals to authority.
These are fun arguments we have in Logic class when we get around to falacies. There are others that traditionally come up, especially if I have a particularly fiesty class.
Stay True!