Re: [-empyre-] protocol reminder for -empyre- list
hi all,
If you all don't mind taking a brief break in the action here, I 'd
like to just take a second to clarify how I apply the posting
guideline about 'disrespect' for -empyre- soft-skinned space. This
is my subjective interpretation, of course. -empyre-'s a volunteer
space, not an organization so the moderators don't really have
detailed rules of order, just this guideline. Other months, when
someone else on our team is the moderator, you'll have a different
interpretation than mine. All I am going on is, our founder, Melinda
Rackham's guideline, specifically about 'disrespect the featured
guests'. Here it is:
From our front page:
-empyre- is not a chat space, nor an announcement or self
promotion list, nor online performance space, and doesn't accept
HTML formatted email or attachments on the list. The facilitators
reserve the right to not publish posts that disregard these
guidelines, or the current month's topics, disrespect the featured
guests, or monopolize the forum either via individuals or group,
and may unsubscribe anyone consistently doing so.
Ok, so as moderator I am obliged to take a position relative to posts
to the list, in order to facilitate this guideline.
The criterion I've been given for moderation concerns modes of
speech, or what may be called rhetorical devices. (example, no
performance, no disrespect, no announcements, etc, see above).
I interpret one phrase in GH's post ( archived here: https://
mail.cofa.unsw.edu.au/pipermail/empyre/2006-July/msg00050.html) as a
post that
disrespects another featured guest, Michele White. I believe he
was responding to Michele's post (archived here: https://
mail.cofa.unsw.edu.au/pipermail/empyre/2006-July/msg00044.html)
The following phrase contains a rhetorical device, which I interpret
as 'disrespectful of a featured guest':
Your analysis of exposure is so incredibly trite it's laughable.
It's a position born of privilege. It has the same sense as Marie
Antoinette dressing up as a peasant and playing as a milk maid.
Another romantic choice from a different era.
So what's wrong with that?
The articulation of the argument is flawed because the writer
resorts to 'ad hominem argument' . (Of course in light of our
discussion about gendered speech I should also say 'ad feminem
argument ' !
I use 'ad hominem argument' as a working tool to decide if a post
'disrespects the featured guests.'
What is 'ad hominem argument'?
n ad hominem argument, also known as argumentum ad hominem (Latin,
literally "argument against the person") or attacking the
messenger, involves replying to an argument or assertion by
attacking the person presenting the argument or assertion rather
than the argument itself. It is usually, though not always, a
logical fallacy (see Validity below).
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem
" Ad hominem as logical fallacy
A (fallacious) ad hominem argument has the basic form:
A makes claim X.
There is something objectionable about A.
Therefore claim X is false.
The first statement is called a 'factual claim' and is the pivot
point of much debate. The last statement is referred to as an
'inferential claim' and represents the reasoning process. There are
two types of inferential claim, explicit and implicit.
Ad hominem is one of the best-known of the logical fallacies usually
enumerated in introductory logic and critical thinking textbooks.
Both the fallacy itself, and accusations of having committed it, are
often brandished in actual discourse (see also Argument from
fallacy). As a technique of rhetoric, it is powerful and used often,
despite its inherent incorrectness.
In contrast, an argument that instead relies (fallaciously) on the
positive aspects of the person arguing the case is sometimes known as
"positive ad hominem," or appeal to authority.
An ad hominem fallacy consists of asserting that someone's argument
is wrong and/or he is wrong to argue at all purely because of
something discreditable/not-authoritative about the person or those
persons cited by him rather than addressing the soundness of the
argument itself. The implication is that the person's argument and/or
ability to argue correctly lacks authority. Merely insulting another
person in the middle of otherwise rational discourse does not
necessarily constitute an ad hominem fallacy. It must be clear that
the purpose of the characterization is to discredit the person
offering the argument, and, specifically, to invite others to
discount his arguments. In the past, the term ad hominem was
sometimes used more literally, to describe an argument that was based
on an individual, or to describe any personal attack. However, this
is not how the meaning of the term is typically introduced in modern
logic and rhetoric textbooks, and logicians and rhetoricians are in
agreement that this use is incorrect.
Examples:
"You claim that this man is innocent, but you cannot be trusted since
you are a criminal, as well."
"You feel that abortion should be illegal, but I disagree, because
you are uneducated and poor."
"Only right-wing nutjobs believe that homosexuals account for one to
two percent of the population."
Not all ad hominem attacks are insulting:
Example:
"Paula says the umpire made the correct call, but this is false,
because Paula is too important to pay attention to the game."
This is an ad hominem fallacy, even though it is saying something
positive about the person, because it is addressing the person and
not the topic in dispute.
Ironically, accusing an opponent of ad hominem can itself be an
example of ad hominem if it is worded as an insult: "I'm not going to
stand here and let him insult me!" or "My opponent is resorting to
logical fallacy to win," or "Since he is out of good arguments, he's
attacking me." (partial Argument from silence)"
--- wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem
-cm
On Jul 11, 2006, at 11:32 AM, Christina McPhee wrote:
hi all,
As moderator, I just wanted to put out a quick reminder about list
rules for -empyre- in case you're new to this online environment.
Thanks to everyone for observing this constraint as it helps us to
collaboratively generate new insights into the topic at hand.
From our front page:
-empyre- is not a chat space, nor an announcement or self
promotion list, nor online performance space, and doesn't accept
HTML formatted email or attachments on the list. The facilitators
reserve the right to not publish posts that disregard these
guidelines, or the current month's topics, disrespect the featured
guests, or monopolize the forum either via individuals or group,
and may unsubscribe anyone consistently doing so.
best,
christina and the moderating team
www.christinamcphee.net
www.strikeslip.tv
www.naxsmash.net
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