Why are so many software developers (who, after all, use logic for a living) incapable of spotting a simple logical fallacy? It goes something like this:
Therefore
If you spot a java developer following this line of reasoning, they will be unable to thwart your (equally fallacious) counterpoint:
Therefore
I don't think your second example is a transitive relationship...
Posted by: Bernard Choi at February 22, 2004 12:38 AMSo, you're saying that if somebody says:
B is C
A is B
Therefore A is C.
(Assumes transitivity of 'is', but logically sound)
You can counter:
X is Y
Z is Y
therefore Z is X
(Um, just bollocks)
And yet - you feel comfortable ridiculing Anders Hejlsberg in your blog! Hilarious! Keep it up!
Posted by: IM at February 22, 2004 02:30 AMDear IM,
Of course you are correct! You will notice, however, that I said the second argument was _equally_ fallacious, not _equivalently_ fallacious...the point was that someone touting the first argument would be unlikely to be able to spot a flaw in the second, not that both types of fallacy were the same. But good on you for caring!
James
Posted by: James Ross at February 22, 2004 07:48 AMThe original point would be much more effective with an example counter argument based on transitivity as IM suggests, so here's one idea:
1. America is a joke
2. Your software is American
Therefore,
3. Your software is a joke!
Just jokes, jolks!