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David Blomstrom

Ben and Jerry's Fallacy?

The owners of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream are boycotting Israel over its treatment of Palestinians. In this video - Ben and Jerry: Hypocrites?  - a woman suggests they're hypocrites because they aren't also boycotting Georgia and Texas, where abortions are banned.

Using that same logic, we could criticize people who fought apartheid in South Africa while ignoring anti-abortion states. Or we could criticize people who condemn the U.S. invasion of Iraq but have nothing to say about states where it's legal to shoot wolves.

Therefore, I would call this an example of comparing apples and oranges. And yet that doesn't seem to be the whole story.

Is there a "matter of priorities" fallacy? Everyone is outraged by something, but no one can be outraged by everything. Some problems are simply bigger or more important than others.

I also sense a possible Tu Quoque fallacy. Israel is quick to condemn Palestinians and Iranians, but they give their supporters a free ride.

Does anyone else see a fallacy or fallacies in the woman's argument?

asked on Sunday, Nov 21, 2021 03:14:03 AM by David Blomstrom

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GoblinCookie writes:

We have got to attack everywhere in order to justifiably attack anywhere "said no general ever"

posted on Saturday, Nov 27, 2021 06:50:07 AM

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Bo Bennett, PhD
6

My last blog post/podcast addresses this point: https://www.bobennett.com/posts/bobennett/stay-calm-enjoy-life.html

Bottom line, there are millions of "causes," and we can't possibly put our resources towards all of them. Nobody actually suggests we should, but they find moral/rational fault when one doesn't support the cause of their particular choice. This is a failure of critical thinking. Using a reductio, this would mean that everyone on the planet is at fault for not supporting some worthy cause.

answered on Sunday, Nov 21, 2021 07:28:24 AM by Bo Bennett, PhD

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TrappedPrior (RotE) writes:

When, in your opinion (if at all) does it become questionable for someone to speak out on a certain issue while ignoring another one?

posted on Monday, Nov 22, 2021 06:02:42 PM
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Bo Bennett, PhD writes:

[To Rationalissimus of the Elenchus]

It is just an opinion. I can think of several situations. To name a few...

1) Someone is asked publicly about their stance on an issue or if they "condemn" a certain person's actions or not.

2) They are in a situation where the "status quo" isn't an option. In other words, it is more than not speaking out on an issue (status quo) but having to choose between options. An example might be voting for a proposition.

3) When the speaking out is on one issue is insensitively timed... like chanting "Blue Lives Matter" at a BLM rally, or going to a fundraiser to support policy and chanting "Black Lives Matter".

Of course, each of these might change depending on details and situation.

[ login to reply ] posted on Monday, Nov 22, 2021 06:43:32 PM
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richard smith
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sounds like an opinion or just blaming game. " comparing apples and oranges" maybe and that would be unequal comparison. Could also be red herring.

answered on Monday, Nov 22, 2021 09:42:19 AM by richard smith

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