116. 3 Fallacies Destroying Our Discourse

116. 3 Fallacies Destroying Our Discourse

Author: Nick Jamell May 13, 2020 Duration: 32:29

In today's discourse there is a lot of bad dialogue. Many people fling ideas out there with little to no consideration, and many of these ideas are fallacious.

I'd like to look at several fallacies that really disrupt our ability to have a productive conversation. My hope is that in looking at these, we can find a way to push these fallacies aside and work to have a real, productive dialogue on the topic at hand.

-Henri Poincare"A sane mind should not be guilty of a logical fallacy, yet there are very fine minds incapable of following mathematical demonstrations."

These are three common fallacies I see used a lot right now that I think it's important to address.

  1. "You don't care about grandma." This is an impugning of motives rather than a serious look at the issue at hand.
  2. Partisan Whataboutism- This problem stems from either a double standard or an accusation of a double standard where none exist. Both are a problem.
  3. Materialist Assumption - This happens a lot now because many people who aren't religious simply assume a materialist cause for many things that are not necessarily materialist or justify beliefs assuming materialism as a basis.

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Nick Jamell hosts Conversation of Our Generation, a space where urgent contemporary questions meet enduring ideas from history and philosophy. Rather than reacting to the noise of daily headlines, this podcast deliberately steps back to examine the deeper currents shaping our society and culture. Each episode is a long-form dialogue that treats topics like politics, religion, and social change not as fodder for debate, but as puzzles to be understood with patience and intellectual humility. The aim is to move beneath entrenched partisanship and surface-level takes, searching instead for clearer perspectives and foundational truths. What you’ll hear are thoughtful explorations that connect modern dilemmas to the wisdom of ancient and modern thinkers, asking how we might navigate today’s complexities with a more grounded sense of principle. This isn’t about quick answers; it’s about cultivating a more meaningful and less reactive way of engaging with the world. For anyone feeling adrift in a polarized age, this podcast offers a sustained, earnest conversation that values depth over speed, and understanding over winning an argument. Tune in for a respite from the frantic news cycle and a chance to consider what it means to be part of this particular moment in time, armed with the best ideas from across the ages.
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