T-Rex is right. The ignorance of the masses does not magically change the meaning of a term over time; it merely underscores the ignorance of the masses and is a futile attempt to justify that same ignorance. Poor education is not grounds for redefining terms to fit misuse of those terms by the ignorant masses.
“Beg the question” DOESN’T mean “prompts one to ask.” It is an informal fallacy that occurs when an argument’s premises assume the truth of the conclusion, instead of supporting it.
It is a type of circular reasoning: an argument that requires that the desired conclusion be true. This often occurs in an indirect way such that the fallacy’s presence is hidden, or at least not easily apparent. For example, “Left-handed people are better painters because right-handed people can’t paint as well.”
In short, if you want to engage in a discussion, be sure you understand the terms you use to defend your position or to criticize the position with which you don’t agree. As it is, you merely revealed your ignorance of a term you used to try to impress onlookers.
Ida No almost 9 years ago
Hey – T-Rex just made a Cavan!Now, I wish he’d clean it up himself…
cocavan11 almost 9 years ago
T-Rex is right. The ignorance of the masses does not magically change the meaning of a term over time; it merely underscores the ignorance of the masses and is a futile attempt to justify that same ignorance. Poor education is not grounds for redefining terms to fit misuse of those terms by the ignorant masses.
ryanqnorth Premium Member almost 9 years ago
alt = “DOWN WITH DESCRIPTIVISTS IN THIS ONE PARTICULAR INSTANCE”
ladamson1918 almost 9 years ago
I agree with Cavan and T-Rex on this. Devaluing the language does no one good.
RonBerg13 Premium Member almost 9 years ago
This toon is hoist by its own petard.
cocavan11 about 5 years ago
“Beg the question” DOESN’T mean “prompts one to ask.” It is an informal fallacy that occurs when an argument’s premises assume the truth of the conclusion, instead of supporting it.
It is a type of circular reasoning: an argument that requires that the desired conclusion be true. This often occurs in an indirect way such that the fallacy’s presence is hidden, or at least not easily apparent. For example, “Left-handed people are better painters because right-handed people can’t paint as well.”
In short, if you want to engage in a discussion, be sure you understand the terms you use to defend your position or to criticize the position with which you don’t agree. As it is, you merely revealed your ignorance of a term you used to try to impress onlookers.