Vladimir_Nesov comments on Catchy Fallacy Name Fallacy (and Supporting Disagreement) - Less Wrong

23 Post author: JGWeissman 21 May 2009 06:01AM

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Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 21 May 2009 09:19:14AM 4 points [-]

This seems to be the same as the well-known technique of rationalist taboo, but with additional namecalling.

Comment author: Nick_Tarleton 21 May 2009 06:05:36PM *  4 points [-]

Actually, seems to me it's more like the idea of a Fully General Counterargument. But

Your counterargument should distinguish good arguments from bad arguments, in that it specifies criteria that systematically apply to a class of bad arguments but not to good arguments. And those criteria should be matched up with details of the allegedly bad argument.

hasn't been stated so plainly before (AFAIK), and is a good point – a definition of what isn't Fully General.

Comment author: Douglas_Knight 21 May 2009 06:23:35PM 1 point [-]

I don't think it's that helpful. Most general arguments do apply everywhere. It's just that they apply weakly, quantitatively, while humans want sharp qualitative answers.

Comment author: Nick_Tarleton 21 May 2009 06:42:42PM 2 points [-]

True, but if they aren't Fully General, there are large differences in the degree to which they apply – rephrased quantitatively, the point stands.

Comment author: JGWeissman 21 May 2009 09:23:40PM 0 points [-]

Well, it intersects rationalist taboo, in that if you avoid the problem I describe, you should be able to communicate your objection without naming any fallacy. However, the more general concept of a vague counterargument can apply in situations when you are not sure what word to taboo to fix the problem. And taboo can solve other unrelated problems, such as people arguing whether sound is acoustic vibrations or sensations.