Question

...
Brian P

Is "blaming the victim" a logical fallacy?

I had skin cancer surgery on my back.  When I returned home, the surgical scar was below where I believe the original biopsy occurred.  The final lab result shows no cancer in the tissue removed during surgery which furthers my belief the surgeon erred.  How do I respond if the surgeon blames me?

asked on Sunday, Nov 01, 2020 08:54:14 PM by Brian P

Top Categories Suggested by Community

Comments
...
1
Max writes:

It is not. Sometimes victim bears some responsibility. Blaming the victim seems like a horrible thing to do, but there are situations when the victim is 100% responsible for wrongdoing. Like when you shot the burglar-killer first, before he managed to do it to you.

The most common such situation may be when a speeding teenager hits a pole and kills himself in his car.

posted on Monday, Nov 02, 2020 11:21:03 AM
...
0
Dr. Richard writes:
[To Max]

"Like when you shot the burglar-killer first, before he managed to do it to you." 

How does that make sense? Are you supposed to just let yourself die? There's a low chance of survival with getting shot first.

[ login to reply ] posted on Saturday, Jan 23, 2021 11:46:33 PM
...
2
Dr. Richard writes:

The question is premature. Wait until you talk with the surgeon.

posted on Monday, Nov 02, 2020 12:19:23 PM

Want to get notified of all questions as they are asked? Update your mail preferences and turn on "Instant Notification."

Master the "Rules of Reason" for Making and Evaluating Claims

Claims are constantly being made, many of which are confusing, ambiguous, too general to be of value, exaggerated, unfalsifiable, and suggest a dichotomy when no such dichotomy exists. Good critical thinking requires a thorough understanding of the claim before attempting to determine its veracity. Good communication requires the ability to make clear, precise, explicit claims, or “strong” claims. The rules of reason in this book provide the framework for obtaining this understanding and ability.

This book / online course is about the the eleven rules of reason for making and evaluating claims. Each covered in detail in the book. 

Take the Online Course

Answers

...
Bo Bennett, PhD
1

Is "blaming the victim" a logical fallacy?

No. Sometimes the victim does deserve at least some blame, sometimes they bear some of the responsibility, and sometimes the victim is unreasonably blamed. It depends on the situation.

As for your particular situation, this sounds like something you might want to ask a lawyer.

answered on Monday, Nov 02, 2020 10:55:13 AM by Bo Bennett, PhD

Bo Bennett, PhD Suggested These Categories

Comments
...
TrappedPrior (RotE)
0

First, one has to determine the degree to which the victim is responsible, if at all.

Second, blaming a victim is not automatically fallacious - it depends on the reasoning involved, and could take the form of a whole host of fallacies.

answered on Monday, Nov 02, 2020 06:41:23 PM by TrappedPrior (RotE)

TrappedPrior (RotE) Suggested These Categories

Comments