Filed under: Debate, Observations, Writing | Tags: argument, debate, fallacy, religion
Whenever I debate religion with anyone (happens frequently), an argument that frequently comes up is the “No True Scotsman” argument.
A simple rendition from Wikipedia-
Teacher: All Scotsmen enjoy haggis.
Student: My uncle is a Scotsman, and he doesn’t like haggis!
Teacher: Well, all true Scotsmen like haggis.
When used in the context of religion, the argument sounds more like this-
Believer: All religious people do good.
Non-believer: There are many bad things committed by religious people.
Believer: Well, all true believers do good.
Basically, the No True Scotsman argument (henceforth referred to as NTS) is a tautology which attempts to exclude all forms of evidence brought forth by any opponents of the view. It essentially says “my evidence is the only valid evidence (if there is any)”.
Arguments like this can look irrefutable at face value, but the key to refuting them is basically to ask two questions-
1) What makes a person a true Scotsman, and is it justified?”
2) Is the existence of such a Scotsman significant and common, or is he just an exception to the general rule?
The general rule of thumb that I follow is this- “if an argument seems irrefutable, then it probably isn’t making any significant claim”. I hope this post helps in the elusive hunt for the “true Scotsman”. 
Figured that a few photos would do my (mostly) monochromatic blog some good. Mostly taken on my wanderings in the city.
“Sayangi Kuala Lumpur”
Signs like these pose an interesting question- are we, as citizens, obligated to love our country, and consequentially, the capital of our country? Or should we only care for our country as much as our country ‘cares’ for us, if it does at all?
Bench, Jalan Chow Kit.
I was approached by a very scary Bangladeshi / Pakistani man while sitting on a bench like this. He also had one front tooth missing. But that is a tale for another time
TV shop, Jalan Chow Kit.
In the afternoons, all sorts of people crowd round the front of the shop, watching. And for a brief moment in time they can stop living their lives / and just let time pass them by. I wonder how many missed appointments have been caused by this shop. I also wonder how many dreams began here.
Stairs, Monorail station, Jalan Chow Kit.
So there was this one time where I was really bored/ itchy legs/ rebellious and I decided to try getting on to the monorail without paying. And I realized that behind the ticket counter, there was a large white box on the floor which you could step on and then climb over the railing- hence bypassing the ticket machines (which I did- once). So if you’re really desperate / adventurous / itchy legs like me you can try it too
“Mmmmmmmm. Sedap.”
The 2 ringgit you spend on buying a ice cream for a cute little girl is probably the best RM 2 you’re about to spend in a long time.
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Have a good day. If things don’t turn out the way that you want them to turn out to be,
there’s always ice cream.
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Found this on letterstocrushes.com-
Golden Snitch,
The chase is on, boy; but I haven’t even seen you yet – or met you.
I’m tired of hovering above the crowds and stands, always on edge. I’m tense because I’m afraid that I’ll catch only a glimmer of your perfection before another girl steals you away.
Please. Fly in my direction. I’d hate to let Gryffindor down.
Love,
Seeker
hahahahahah why am I so sentimental
Filed under: Observations
As seen on a friend’s calculator in Accounts tuition a year ago:
TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSTITUTED.”
Filed under: Observations
From Wikipedia:
In Malaysia, as part of its campaign against drugs, the word “Morphin” is censored, by substituting or muting footage where the word is spoken (the phrase “It’s morphin’ time”) or displayed onscreen, for fear that it could encourage children to become addicted with the uses of morphine. When it was broadcast on RTM (along with its toy commercials), it was called Mighty Power Rangers, or simply Power Rangers or Power Ranger.
.. better safe than sorry, I guess. /snicker
