Logic - the lost art

Thou shalt not commit logical fallacies.

The poster hung in our classroom while we were introducing our children to their first course in logic. We used The Fallacy Detective by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn. It is designed for children as young as twelve which is a perfect age for them to start on their journey of reasoned thought and discourse.

A woman at Dalrock's blog asked: "Is there a resource for what to do, or not do, when raising a young girl (she’s preteen, in elementary school), in order to avoid this senseless entitlement and obscene debauchery that seems to be normal now?" I referred her to The Fallacy Detective. In raising daughters, one of the best things we can do for them, in this culture, is cultivate within them an understanding and love of logic and rational thought. When this is coupled with a love for the Lord and biblical instruction, they will be more equipped to avoid the rebellious temptations of the world.

When one of our children would present an irrational argument we would tell them to go to the poster and let us know which logical fallacy their argument contained. We would then teach them how they can debate/discuss/argue the issue in an honest manner. We have never had a problem with our children disagreeing with us. We don't, however, allow irrational outbursts or rhetorical fallacies. There is so much for them to learn and they are with us for such a short time that we don't want to waste a minute of it. What they have learned so far of logic and reasoning has been demonstrably beneficial to their maturation and thirst for wisdom.

Unfortunately logic is not taught to the majority of individuals they'll encounter and converse with. It can be very frustrating for them when they attempt to debate a hot topic with one of their peers. They aren't very skilled, yet, in identifying individuals that can not be reasoned with.

Before some audiences, not even the possession of the exactist knowledge will make it easy for what we say to produce conviction. - Aristotle

It is our utmost concern for our daughters to become logical thinkers. We understand that one of the most challenging things they will encounter in marriage is the ability to communicate effectively with their husbands. It is imperative for them to be honest and rational in this communication.

As wives, we need to learn to recognize when we are communicating dishonestly with our husbands. We need to be educated in logic so we can understand what fallacious reasoning is. In addition we need to learn other destructive manners of communication and thought such as neurotic projection and solipsism.

Consider the husband who makes a statement: "My mother's roast beef is delicious, could you get the recipe from her?"

Here we have a subjective opinion and a request. Considering this is a husband and it is regarding a preference in food that he has, it is likely something that would bring him great joy to hear this response from his wife: "Sure! I'll give her a call."

How many husbands endure this response: "Why, what is wrong with my roast beef?" or "You don't like how I've been making the roast beef?"

Sadly, many husbands will have to encounter this escalation: "Everything your mother does is better than what I do! I'll never be able to measure up! Nothing I do is good enough! I wish you could just love me for me!"

The husband really just has a palate for his mother's roast beef. He's not comparing his mother's cooking to his wife's. His words should be understood as he literally said them. No matter what has taken place in a marriage previous to this statement, the statement needs to be heard and understood as it is said without a response containing the fallacy of presumption. This is an honest way of communicating.

More to come as time allows...