Would R&S be a better place (see below)...?

Question

...if people were required to pass a test in basic logic and debate before they could participate here?

Again and again, I see people engaging in the worst sorts of logical fallacies -- arguments from personal incredulity, assuming the answer, special pleading, and on and on. Just breathtakingly inane stuff, actually. The kind of "arguments" I'm almost hesitant to respond to, for fear that I'm somehow lending them credibility by acknowledging their presence.

Am I alone in this feeling? Or am I just being an intellectual snob?

Answer 1

not alone, but then it's kind of fun pointing them out in their fallacy...

heck i even learned a new definition for science yesterday...did you know science is an ability to prove all opposing views wrong? me neither...

Answer 2

Intellectual snobbery is a fact of life. I think of it as relativism. You have trouble with those lower than you on the IQ chain. But remember, there are those above you on the IQ chain too. Only Marilyn Vos Savant is at the top of that list.

While I admire the intent of your question and the passion with which you make it, we both know it will never happen. One thing that would be nice would some sort of age indicator. A lot of teenagers engage in the bashing and nonsensical questions/answers. College students are still figuring out life, have plenty of time, and are 100% sure their current belief system is the "only" way. I know, I was one of them 25 years ago.

There are also fake people on here. Last week, I saw this sudden volume of attacks and really ignorant questions coming from someone that talked like he's been here a lot. I check his profile and his account was created that day and had a handful of questions and answers, all very moronic. Obviously, this guy creates fake accounts to come on here and bash away.

So you are not alone. I admire your posts. Keep up the intellect.

Answer 3

Totally agree, but then if you really want the core truth of it when any question comes up about God, it isn't really necessary for an Atheist to say it is a fairy tale without providing a real answer to the question. The opposite is also true - when a question comes up about Wicca, Christians might not be the best people to provide an answer.

Logic and reason testing? Good idea, impossible to implement in reality - remember, it takes the contribution of everyone to make R&S what it is. What is R&S? A place where religious freedom of yourself AND others should be the first priority of each and every person.

Sadly, it is not.

Answer 4

I agree with you completely, but there is nothing that you can do to change the way the people here act. You have theists here posting 'question' that are just used to testify there god-thing, thus not even asking a question. You have a war between different religions and the atheists. Some people actually ask a question but it is designed that only a person of that religion could answer it and earn the 10 points.

It is like as soon as they enter this site their mind closes and tunnel vision kicks in. Forget about kindness, people are out fighting a religious war on the Internet.

To me, only about 1 out of a 100 questions are worth answering it seems. And as you can tell you are one of those rare questions that deserve a good answer.

And as for the logic test. there is no way to come up with the questions without people going crazy on you. That question is geared for a Muslim or that question is meant for the atheists. it is a no win situation.

Answer 5

But, there would be far fewer participants here. A test for logic could ban many of those who pride themselves on their own intelligence as well. How would they feel in regards to this revelation? There would be also, far less of the kind of questions you almost but, don't quite 'hesitate' to respond to.

Answer 6

Maybe a little snobby but i can relate. I personally just wish that the people who lack the ability to debate logically would quit using the report flags to censor opposing viewpoints. Fascism should remain in the politics section.

Answer 7

Well don't forget that logical fallacies can be used intentionally to fool you. Seeing as how logical fallacies can be hard to spot if you don't know what you're looking for they make a great weapon for debate. Religion seems to use this form of debate very well. But the sad fact is that most believers who commit logical fallacies in a debate don't know they are doing so, so they believe it 100%

Answer 8

I think R&S would be a better place if everyone agreed with me ;)

I understand what you are saying but that is how the internet works. Are you saying we need to show academic credentials before being allowed entry and then appoint a moderator to enforce parlimentary procedures? Bor-ring!

I find statements such as "there is no evidence that man walked upright more than 6,000 years ago" (I have heard/read this on R&S) quite entertaining.

Answer 9

You might be a little bit of an intellectual snob but I completely agree with you. I suppose then that I am just a snob too. ;-) When I see posts like that here I usually tend to ignore them, to me they are not even worth it.

Answer 10

Your answer is relative to the perception of the answerer. Your friends and like minded persons will agree while those with contrary perceptions will claim the latter. Neither is absolute proof of anything.

Considering you've already assumed a position, it's fair to assume which side of the spectrum you'll determine accurate.

Answer 11

It would be less entertaining.

I think everybody should be required to pass a logic and debate class before graduating high school, though. I don't think you're an intellectual snob.