Tag Archives: bifurcation fallacy

The False Dichotomy of Bookend Lies

Posted on by

.

Bifurcation Fallacy/False Dilemma
Want to lie to someone without telling lies, win converts to your organization and gain influence in their lives?  Imply that only two options exist, the rational option backed by science, and the stupid option only promoted by pseudo scientists.  The choice should be easy! If you are a critical thinker, like us.
Explanation
  1. The bifurcation fallacy is committed when a false dichotomy is presented, i.e. when someone is asked to choose between two options when there is at least one other option available.
  2. The false dilemma is committed when one implies that sufficient data exists such that a choice must be made between a constrained subset of options, when no such threshold of data actually exists.
Corollaries
i.  When a false dilemma is presented in such a way that both sides of the dichotomy agree (for differing reasons), then the correct answer resides with neither side of the argument.
ii.  When both sides of a false dilemma forbid access to a specific domain, important data resides in that domain.
iii.  Bifurcation fallacies are promoted through their simplicity (see “Occam’s Razor“).
iv.  False dilemmas are usually promoted through the furtive and flawed assumption that a disposition on an observation or claim must be tendered immediately.
v.  When a side in a false dilemma misrepresents itself as one philosophy in name, yet teaches another philosophy altogether, the concealed philosophy exists only as a ‘Lie of Allegiance,’ and is not regarded as a fact in the mind of the adherents.
              eg.  Nihilism misrepresents itself as “Atheism” in order to lure acolytes and appear more acceptable.
                    Creationism misrepresents itself as “Faith” in order to lure acolytes and appear more acceptable.
Whenever both the Religious and Nihilist Apologists forbid research into a specific domain, all things being equal, the forbidden domain is the first place one should begin to look.

The Binding Role of the Lie of Allegiance

Posted on by
A useful tool in SSkepticism, the Lie of Allegiance keeps the faithful unified and aligned in playing activist roles.  A Lie of Allegiance is often promoted through one-liners and circularly quoted propaganda, initially deployed by celebrity SSkeptics, and enforced by the faithful, looking for purpose power and reward.




Lie of Allegiance 


    

  1. 

    

    Want to win converts? Put on a better face.
    

    

    A core philosophy (such as Nihilism or material monism) which is masked by a differing but similar and more attractive cover philosophy (such as atheism) because of the cover philosophy’s generally more acceptable nature.
    

    2. 

  2. 

    The core argument which binds together a group on one side in a false dilemma.  
    

    3. 

  3. 

    A principle which is not fully regarded as truth by the members of a group of adherents, rather is employed only as the default, null hypothesis, or battle cry agenda around which to combat those on the other side of the false dilemma argument.  The measure of adherence to the Lie of Allegiance principle is more a reflection of disdain towards those of antithetical positions, than it is an expression of rational conclusion on the part of the adherent.
    

    4. 





Corollaries


i.  The Lie of AllegianceMany of the proponents in a Lie of Allegiance based organization, do not fully understand the Lie of Allegiance, nor perceive its contrast with the cover philosophy to which they in reality adhere. 


Example:  Most self proclaimed atheists cannot coherently frame the difference between atheism, skepticism, agnosticism, naturalism, nihilism, ignosticism, monism, materialism, tolerance and apatheism.


ii.  Many members involved in a Lie of Allegiance do not in reality care about the specifics of the teaching under which they profess fealty.  Specific psychologies involving the Ten Pillars are at play inside the binding power of the Lie of Allegiance.


Example:  Many self proclaimed atheists wear the badge as a result of an emotional state, rather than a discriminating choice of conscience.  This renders them susceptible to Nihilist’s, who use rally cries and the pummeling of christian issues in effigy, as a way to enlist the emotional allegiance of those who have poorly rationalized their ontology.