Picture framing

For the informal logic connoisseurs, the modus tonens (identified by our very own Scott Aikin and co author Robert Talisse) consists in repeating back an interlocutor’s argument in a derisive tone (see also here).  There is a visual version of that which has long bothered me.  It involves posting a jerky looking photo of the person whose view you … Continue reading Picture framing

Civility for jerks

Mallard Fillmore’s got a nice way to capture the civility problem — with a straw man followed by a  tu quoque! If President Obama charged the Republicans with wanting to kill the elderly and starve the poor, I don’t remember it.  In fact, the only kill the elderly lines I remember were the old ‘death … Continue reading Civility for jerks

Sanford Goldberg interview

My colleague, Robert Talisse, contributes to the New Books in Philosophy website. Rob just interviewed Sanford Goldberg (Northwestern) about his fantastic and challenging new book, Relying on Others (OUP, 2010).  You can hear the interview here.

Marriage is between one man and a series of women

Disgraced former Speaker of the House and current Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich on Gay Marriage: "I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. I think that's what marriage ought to be and I would like to find ways to defend that view as legitimately and effectively as possible." Getting hetero-married over and … Continue reading Marriage is between one man and a series of women