Hey what’s up Thinkers! Kathy Gibbens here…
Let’s start off with a quick review of a fallacy we covered earlier this season, the ‘Draw Your Own Conclusion’ Fallacy. Do you want to hit pause real quick & see if you can remember what The Draw Your Own Fallacy is? The ‘Draw Your Own Conclusion’ Fallacy happens when someone gives you carefully selected and curated, ‘juicy information' or ‘shocking facts’ and then immediately tells you to ‘draw your own conclusions’ based on the cherry-picked information they presented to you.
So, the questions to ask yourself if you think you’re facing the ‘Draw Your Own Conclusion’ Fallacy is this: “What evidence is missing? Can I gather more data? Are there alternative explanations?”
If you want to review or hear more about this fallacy, go back & check out Episode 160.
Since you’re listening to this podcast, I know you’re interested in learning & teaching your child HOW to think, not just what to think. Have you also considered homeschooling your kids? Do you wonder if you could really do it? Our sponsor, Classical Conversations, is a homeschool program that cultivates strong critical thinkers in a local community by following a Christ-centered curriculum rooted in the classical model. And don’t worry, before we started with them, I didn’t know what the Classical model was either! To learn more about this unique program and to get two free downloadable e-books, just fill out the form at classicalconversations.com/filterit. Plus, you’ll get to see a video from my friend Kamilah and hear about how CC has helped her family have a great homeschooling experience!
Alright, let’s dive into today’s new fallacy, the Meaningless Question Fallacy. The Meaningless Question fallacy happens when someone asks a question that can’t be answered in any rational way. This fallacy is super simple, but I’ll bet you’ve heard or even asked some of these questions!
Here are some examples of Meaningless Questions:
1. What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object?
2. How many angels can you fit on the head of a pin?
3. Is anything possible?
4. Can God create a rock so big that He can’t lift it?
The problem behind Meaningless Questions is they really can’t be answered. Usually, there is no logical answer, or the question itself doesn’t make sense in the context it’s being asked. Usually when people ask Meaningless Questions, they’re trying to be funny or to purposely explore ideas that are surreal or maybe even ridiculous. Or they just may be trying to sound smart and make you feel dumb, right?
So, to close out today’s episode, I’m going to leave you with some Meaningless Questions for you to ponder:
5. What color is a mirror?
6. If you enjoy wasting time, is the time really wasted?
7. If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?
8. Why does rain drop yet snow falls?
9. Do we all see yellow the same way?
10. Deep thoughts…or, as my generation used to say, “things that make you go “Hmmmm…”
So, the question to ask yourself if you think you’re facing a Meaningless Question is this: “Can this question even be answered?” *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?”
