How do you reason with someone who is constantly using Fallacious Logic?

Question

please refer to my previous question...I'm not trying to take the teaching Assistant on or anything like that. In fact I would be perfectly happy keeping my opinions to myself...But there is a teaching Assistiant who feels like he must "inspire" you when that doesn't happen he feels like he must defeat you in some way. I have no problem with people having beliefs that differ from my own, only he is constantly using fallacious logic such as a strawman to attack arguments that he doesn't agree with, and then personal attacks when that fails... A teacher whom I respect once told me "if you argue with an idiot he is doing the same thing" so I try to just ignore him, but that is easier said than done when someone keep "calling you out.." Is it that this guy is too stupid to think properly; how can that be? Or, is it that he feels the need to use any means to strengthen his cause, but why would you want to defend something that you know to be false rather than learn yourself...

thanks

Answer 1

I had a similar experience...our whole class had a similar experience. Philosophy majors with A+ averages were failing introductory courses because the professor didn't want us to think--he wanted us to regurgitate his answers back to him. His ideas were often outlandish (don't ask me to repeat them...this happened a year ago and I have gone to great pangs to forget them), and his responses to our counterarguments were similar to the ones you experienced. A lot of his students were seniors, so our option of dropping the course was not open. By the time we realized how terrible he was, we couldn't change classes, either. Both options would be best, assuming your grade is affected by his actions. If the grade is not affected, I doubt much can happen other than you passing the class and forgetting this guy altogether. If you can't get out of the class, and your grade is affected, here is my suggestion:
Get ver batum notes on your in-class conversation with this guy where he is producing fallacy after fallacy. Get a recorder, learn shorthand, type it out...ver batum. If you can't do it because you want to hold conversation, have someone else do it for you. It's probably best to have at least one other person do this anyway, to ensure accuracy of your notes. After you get about five or six such conversations documented, type them out and read them over. Note his fallacies, and make sure you aren't using any yourself. In your conversations, actually tell him his fallacies if you catch them at the moment. Even if you can't, just print out the conversation and take a copy to him during his office hours (or, if his hours don't suit you, make an appointment; that failing, stay after class with him). Point out his fallacies in a civilized manner. Even if you think he'll disregard your comments (probably will), give him the benefit of the doubt. Follow the chain of command--complaints to him first, even if they concern him. If his behavior continues, take the notes to the head of the department. If your grade is affected by it, prove it by producing tests (again, show problematic test grades to the teacher first...this chain of command is not just to look official, it eliminates the option of mis-communication, and puts the teacher in a tougher position to act out) that you feel deserve better grades. The head of the department will sort things out.
If you feel the head of the department didn't do a good job, tell them so. Make it known what you want (a little respect, a deserved grade, the teacher's heart for supper...) and see what may be keeping the head from acting in what you see as a fit manner.
Still no luck after that? Ask a teacher/head of another department where you would go if you had a complaint about the head of a department. There might be an office to file complaints, or it may require a letter to the dean. I imagine it would be the former.
Summed up: get documented evidence and witnesses. The more the better. Follow the command line: teacher to head to higher office to dean. It looks professional and is much more mature than calling the teacher an a$$hole. Act civilized. If his lack of logic breaks you, you have given him power. Acting on emotion is just as much a fallacy as the strawman.
Above all, don't waste your time or his or anyone else's if your grade is not being affected by this. Maybe he's just pushing your buttons to test you. Maybe he's joking. But if the grade is not affected, you have to give him this: he's being unfair in arguing, but very fair in the grade, and that's what matters. Plus, nobody will do anything about it if the grade is not at stake. There are a number of reasons why he could be illogical. But without an adverse affect on grading, your evidence is shot. Think of that 'A' paper that received a 'C' as your 'smoking gun.'

Answer 2

Unfortunately, there seem to be fewer and fewer good teachers around now-a days and plenty of unsuccessfull wannabes who never made it in the field of their choice. Some of them end up having no option but to teach to earn a living and will often be found trying to force their own ideas or views on susceptible young minds: take those history teachers whom we've all heard about, who have forced their negative beliefs on the holocaust's existance!
Some people mistakenly believe that as teachers they are in a position and have the right to mould a new generation into their way of thinkng: this constitutes a bad teacher! Their's is just a frustrated, power-hungry release to their own inadequate, pent-up failures in life.

You have a few choices from what I can see: change classes if possible; report and complain about his methods; argue with him (risking a back-lash of antipathy and bad marks) or if none of these are possible options.....you as an intelligent person with doubts (given your question on here), can go along with this idiot's game and give him what he wants in order to gain approval and good marks! You know he can't influence or change your mind to his thinking if his teachings, beliefs or methods are ringing alarm bells for you! Use their ignorance to your benefit....he'll always be stuck where he is: you'll move on to greater things and this episode will just belong in the past!

Answer 3

Although I haven't read it yet, the book ‘Games People Play’ is said to be all about this kind of situation.

Wikipedia sums it up as follows:

“Games People Play is a famous 1964 book by psychologist Eric Berne. Since its publication it has sold more than five million copies. The book describes life as a series of games in which people interact through a patterned and predictable series of transactions which are superficially plausible but actually conceal motivations and lead to a well-defined predictable outcome. Not all interactions are games, however. Continuing his work with transactional analysis, Dr. Berne also discusses procedures, rituals, and pastimes in social behavior.”

Answer 4

You cannot reason with someone who is not using logic. Though in some relationships there comes a time to point that out to a person, in this situation it sounds like you ought not to "cast your pearls before swine". He can't handle logic, or intelligent conversation, he'll try to chew it up and end up choking. Best just walk away, but not pridefully, for then he has won.

Answer 5

Maybe try another class with the same material buyt differnet teacjhers?

Or a tape recorder and ask Mr Fallacious if you can tape the conversations he has with the class, so you can 'interpret/learn from them later'. If he agrees and you get a doozie, show the main prof and ask for advice on how to work with Mr F.

Answer 6

Put him in his place. The only way to actually win is by showing hard, concrete proof even he cannot refute. And the cool thing is you can use even a 1st Grade experiment IF it helps your cause. It's one thing to fall into the trap of "Defending your argument" with an idiot, But it's another if you place FACT in his/her face.

Answer 7

This person has CONTROL issues. You CANNOT reason with someone who has to be in control. It's just not possible. You need to quit responding to his calling you out. It takes 2 to play. If you won't play he will have to take his marbles and go home.

Answer 8

go above his head and talk to someone at the school about him. Talk to some of the other students and see what their experiences are with him. Maybe he should not be teaching.

Answer 9

Just tell him, distinctly and clearly, that you don't argue with stupidity. He make not like it, but if you do it each time he attacks personally, he will get the message.

Answer 10

Never try to teach a pig to sing > you waste your time and annoy the pig