Whoever wants to lose the crown? None! Well, history as well as literature can provide ample proof to this effect. The current Sangli saga could be an example. We are, however, not referring to that loss. Rather, we are referring to the crowning glory which, for many, makes or mars the look.
Yes, it is a famous fallacy, alternatively known as the fallacy of the beard or the fallacy of the bald man. When exactly can it be argued that a person is bald and/or clean-shaven, or to the contrary? Highly relative are these concepts as real life encounters of the close variety would tell you.
Why does such a fallacy arise? First and foremost, such an imprecision is in-built in language itself. Words and/or concepts are never clear-cut. They always exist on a spectrum. The only exception is absolute antonyms such as dead or alive.
Given the intrinsic imprecision in language, this fallacy maintains that no meaningful difference exists between two extremes, bald/hairy, clean-shaven/bearded, because a precise dividing line does not exist.
This 'informal' fallacy, rooted in the Sorites paradox explored by the Greek philosopher, Eubulides, is also known as the continuum fallacy. Often, in real life, we meet people who want to eat the cake and keep it, too! Now you know the philosophy behind this "oui et no, peut-être" (the favourite French idiom, 'yes and no, may be') psychology!
Pratima Agnihotri
No comments:
Post a Comment