KC Podcast - Episode 117: Passing the Baton

A Parable

This is an example from the book Fallacy Detective by Nathaniel and Hans Bluedorn. It's also a wonderful parable. Make of it what you will...

"Oscar just knew he was right. He didn't need to read about all those other viewpoints. Oscar knew they were all wrong. The group Oscar was with--called the Flat Earth Society--made sure its members knew why other positions were wrong. The International Headquarters published many little booklets which explained everything in simple language. Sometimes, Oscar wondered how people could believe that the world was round--and not flat, as his group taught. Oscar figured that most people were just stupid and don't think about what they believe.

Dr. Weednut, a leading figure in the Flat Earth Society, had an entertaining way of explaining why society has deceived itself into believing that the earth is round, when everyone can see that it is obviously flat. Oscar liked Dr. Weednut the very first time he met him. He stimulated Oscar to think, and he made thinking seem so easy. Oscar was glad he had someone whom he could trust to explain everything to him."

Comments

Anonymous said…
This parable sounds strangely familiar...
-student