Question

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Katherine

What's it call when people blame things they don't understand on things they don't approve of and then recommend a "virtuous" course of action?

Examples:

Biblical times:

The crops have failed.  Clearly God is displeased by your lack of humility.  Sacrifice your cattle to him to show you are sorry.

Modern times: 

Doctor: Not sure what's wrong with you but I suspect its because you're overweight.  Start on this new diet and exercise regime and call me when you've lost 20lbs.

asked on Wednesday, Jul 29, 2020 11:53:03 AM by Katherine

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Bo Bennett, PhD writes:

In addition to my answer below, I just wanted to comment that your modern times example is far less problematic than your Biblical times one. In your modern times example, the doctor could be giving their expert opinion. They stated as much by admitting uncertainty in the diagnoses. Being overweight is a common comorbidity so this is not unreasonable. Had the doctor said, "but I suspect you are not right with God," then that would be a very different story.

posted on Wednesday, Jul 29, 2020 12:18:11 PM

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Answers

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Bo Bennett, PhD
2

I would say

1) Claiming a cause when the cause is unknown is Argument from Ignorance and Jumping to Conclusions .

2) then blaming on things one disapproves of is a form of Shoehorning

3) then recommend a "virtuous" course of action is just an opinion.
answered on Wednesday, Jul 29, 2020 12:09:39 PM by Bo Bennett, PhD

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Katherine writes:

Thank you.  I appreciate your time.  :-)

posted on Wednesday, Jul 29, 2020 12:42:31 PM
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mchasewalker
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What's it call (sic) when people blame things (on things) they don't understand...?

Promiscuous teleology, or, hyper active agency detection.

What's it call (sic) when people blame things they don't understand on things they don't approve of...?

Superstition, selective moral superiority, or religious judgmentalism.

What's it call (sic) when people blame things they don't understand on things they don't approve of and then recommend a "virtuous" course of action?

Theodicy.

answered on Wednesday, Jul 29, 2020 03:47:39 PM by mchasewalker

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Mr Z writes:

Regarding the third item.  Theodicy is typically defined as an answer to why an O-3 God would allow evil - either moral evil or seemingly meaningless physical suffering.  Perhaps ignorant prejudice? 

posted on Wednesday, Jul 29, 2020 09:51:32 PM
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mchasewalker writes:

I was being flippant, but perhaps theology would be a funnier reply? 

posted on Thursday, Jul 30, 2020 05:00:40 PM