A thread I saw on FB with hidden fallacies.
Historical archive only. New interaction is disabled.
Original Question
Person 1: "How long do you think this lockdown is going to last?"
Person 2: "Probably anywhere from the next two months to a year and a half. If we are good and social distance flattens the curve then maybe. If not we will have to wait till the vaccine comes out in a year and a half or so." (comment gets all laughing emojis)
Person 3: "we don’t have to wait for anything we don’t have to wait for. This earth is OURS." (comment gets all hearts and likes emojis)
Person 2: " We only have to wait if we want to slow the spread of the virus to others. If thats your goal then you will have to wait. If you are selfish and don't care about infecting other people or yourself then you don't have to, but know that is selfish." (comment gets all laughing emojis)
Person 3: I’ve studied epidemiology at a masters level and know how it works. What’s your creds? (comment gets all hearts and likes emojis)
Answers
1Person 3: we don’t have to wait for anything we don’t have to wait for.
This is a tautology, but most likely more poetic than an attempt at rational.
This earth is OURS.
Non Sequitur. The fact that the earth may be our has nothing do with waiting for societal lockdowns to lift.
If you are selfish and don't care about infecting other people or yourself then you don't have to, but know that is selfish.
False Dilemma. There could me other reasons. This is presented as the only alternative to want to stay on lockdown.
I’ve studied epidemiology at a masters level and know how it works. What’s your creds?
Red Herring. This isn't an epidemiological question; at least it hasn't been posed as one. Person 3 is defending their "This earth is OURS" comment, which is a philosophical/political statement.
Person 3's credentials would be relevant if they rejected any of the epidemiological claims person 2 has made, but they didn't... at least not explicitly.
Master Logical Fallacies Online
Take the Virversity course and sharpen your reasoning skills with structured lessons.
View Online Course