Hey what’s up Thinkers! Kathy Gibbens here…
I have to start today’s episode by sharing a review from a listener, and it’s not just any listener, but this one is from one of my teen listeners, which I absolutely love to hear from! This review was left by “Emoji Master” and says this: “Hi! I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your podcast! I love to be able to spot fallacies in conversations/articles/memes, etc. This podcast has definitely helped me to think more for myself instead of asking my mom to tell me what’s wrong/right. Another thing, I love how you bring God into the things that he needs to be brought into! I’m a Christian, I do Classical Conversations as well, and I’m 13 and in Challenge A, so listening to this as well as the Fallacy Detective has really helped my thinking skills! Oh, and I love your voice!” And then proceeds to leave 32 stars. Ok, Emoji Master, you have absolutely made my day!! I love to hear from my listeners and I especially love hearing how this podcast is helping you be able to think about the things you’re seeing & hearing around you! Thanks a million for listening and for leaving such an awesome review! And could I just make a small request? If you haven’t already left a review for this podcast wherever you listen, would you just take about 30 seconds and do so? It means a lot to me and it helps other people find it!
I want to say thank you to one of this show’s sponsors, CTC Math. Have you ever wondered how your child is doing as they progress through their math journey? CTC Math is an online program that adjusts to meet your child’s growth, and they give you extensive reports to help you know right where they’re at. It’s a clear roadmap of their journey and it’s all done for you. Check out ctcmath.com and keep track of your child's math success.
Alright, let’s dive into today’s new fallacy, called Failure to Elucidate. Failure to Elucidate happens when someone gives a definition for something, but their definition is just as confusing, if not more confusing than the thing they were trying to explain. It may be helpful to define the word Elucidate. Dictionary.com defines elucidate as “to make something clear, to explain.” So if someone fails to elucidate, they’ve failed to make something clear. This is a super simple fallacy to understand, but let me give you a few examples.
Let's say you're asking someone to explain what a "computer" is, and they respond with a long, convoluted explanation like this: "A computer is a multifunctional electronic device that utilizes integrated circuits and executes various computational tasks through the manipulation of digital data. It comprises hardware components such as a central processing unit, memory modules, input/output devices, and storage units, all interconnected via buses and interfaces…." And I could go on, but most of you have likely already tuned me out because this explanation is way more confusing than what you were originally asking!
Another version of the Failure to Elucidate Fallacy could sound like this: Let's say you're trying to convince your teacher to postpone a test because you didn't have enough time to study. However, when your teacher asks why you didn't have enough time to study, you simply respond with "because I was busy." Without providing specific examples or details about what kept you busy, you're failing to elucidate your reasoning for requesting the test postponement. This lack of explanation weakens your argument and doesn’t really give your teacher any real support for your request.
The problem behind the Failure to Elucidate is that the person isn’t really explaining anything. They’re just creating more confusion, and in a way, they're avoiding the question. Now, sometimes people commit the Failure to Elucidate fallacy innocently, because they’re not really sure how to better define or explain something…they may not really understand it themselves. But other times, it can be done with the motive to confuse, or to avoid really having to explain what they mean in hopes that you’ll just stop asking about it. And oftentimes, it works because people are too embarrassed to admit that they still don’t understand something, even after the person has “explained” it again. Trust me, if you’re having trouble understanding something, it’s not you. It doesn’t mean you’re dumb…the other person could be doing a really bad job of explaining the thing they’re talking about or they may not really understand it themselves. In fact, Albert Einstein is credited with saying, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” So, if someone keeps offering confusing definitions or explanations, don’t be afraid to ask again.
A real-life example of the Failure to Elucidate comes from a man named Samuel Johnson, who actually wrote & published a dictionary in 1755. He is credited with this definition for oats: "A grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people." Ok, can you see how that explanation is more confusing and doesn’t really tell you what oats are?
Question to ask yourself if you’re facing a Failure to Elucidate is this: “Can you explain that in simpler terms?” *repeat*
Remember: When you learn HOW to think, you will no longer fall prey to those who are trying to tell you what THEY want you to think and it all starts with asking one simple question: “Is that really true?”
