Dramafied Fallacies of Argument

If you have spent any time online (or in real life) debating you have likely come up against fallacious arguments. Fallacies appear logical but are actually an error in reasoning. Sometimes they are committed intentionally to manipulate or persuade by deception. Other times they are committed unintentionally due to carelessness, ignorance or faulty language use.  

Recognizing fallacies in your own arguments and those of others is integral to critical thinking and writing effective essays. They are also fun to pick apart when presented as fact or supposed reasoned logic.

Currently, there are over 100 identifiable fallacies. In western thinking, Aristotle was the first to point out 13 fallacious arguments.

The reactive characters argue with fallacies. Owl comments on their arguments

FALSE CAUSE occurs when correlation or relationship also assumes cause and effect. Just because two things are related doesn't mean one caused the other. Correlation does not imply causation.

BEGGING THE QUESTION occurs when the conclusion of an argument is used as a premise of that same argument. Evidence is required to argue a claim. Circular arguments prove nothing.

COMPLEX QUESTION occurs when a question presupposes something that has not been proven or accepted. Making up facts is easy - analyzing real facts is requires thinking. 

RED HERRING occurs when plausible arguments are presented but are irrelevant and diversionary. Red herrings do not exist and divert arguments.

AFFIRMING THE CONSEQUENT occurs when inferring that by disproving the opposition to an argument, the argument is proven. Two wrongs do not make a right.

IN CERTAIN RESPECT AND SIMPLY occurs when taking an attribute bound to a certain area and applying it to a wider domain. This form of generalizing does not an argument make.

ACCIDENT occurs when generalizations ignore mitigating circumstances or exceptions. The only true absolute is change.

COMPOSITION occurs when the truthfulness inferred by the parts is based on the features of the whole. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

DIVISION This occurs when the truthfulness inferred by the whole is based on the features of the parts. Inductive reasoning isn't always appropriate.

EQUIVOCATION occurs when words or phrases are given two different meanings within an argument. Misunderstanding the claim makes arguing impossible.

AMPHIBOLY occurs because of a misuse of grammar (or punctuation) that promotes multiple interpretations, especially in the claim itself. Syntax and punctuation matter.

ACCENT occurs when correlation or relationship also assumes cause and effect. Just because two things are related doesn't mean one caused the other. Correlation does not imply causation.

FIGURE OF SPEECH occurs when words or expressions similar in form are understood as similar in meaning. Idioms may not be your friend.

The deliberate use of fallacious arguments are popular in politics, advertising, the court room and other venues. Recognizing fallacious arguments help separate fact from opinion. (In the next installment, we will explore Jain fallacies that use a more eastern approach.)

Dramafied Characters in the Drama Triangle

Any dramafied character can be seduced into playing a role in the game of the 
Drama Triangle. Disagreement threatens their belief systems.

NOTE: These are generic responses without a transactional context.

EEK	Victim Persecutor Rescuer	You're just trying to make me crazier  than I already feel. Don't tell me things I don't want to  know. I won't let you scare me. Don't be afraid of what you don't  know. It might help you.
GRR	Victim Persecutor Rescuer	You're only trying to make me feel inferior. You don't get it. You're delusional. Get some help. If you're triggered by everything I   say, I can't help you understand.
POO	Victim Persecutor Rescuer	I don't know anything and what I  do know is wrong. I'm so ashamed. You're just trying to make me feel  bad about what I know. You poor thing. You're as bad off  as I am.
UGH	Victim Persecutor Rescuer	It doesn't matter because nothing   really matters. You don't really care about  anything either. Not really. It's okay you don't have all the  answers. No one does.
AH HA	Victim Persecutor Rescuer	I can't believe I didn't know this.  What a fool I have been. Based on what I already knew,  now I know more than you do. Let me teach you what you  need to know.

Recognizing when playing a role in the Drama Triangle is vital to growing and learning. 
Breaking out of the Drama Triangle requires self reflection to overcome a resistance to 
accepting and integrating new information.

Dramafied Disagreement in the Drama Triangle

Stephen Karpman, MD, a student of Eric Berne (transactional analysis) developed the social model of the Drama Triangle. Unlike dramafied behaviors and transactions that support learning, the Drama Triangle is a closed system that denies embracing new knowledge. Participants are more invested in emotional drama than outcomes. The Drama Triangle describes the roles we play in transactions to avoid thinking.

The Drama Triangle is a game of deflection. Rather than seeking resolution, the reactive characters who play the roles of Victim, Persecutor or Rescuer are unwilling to go past their feelings and embrace new thinking. In addition, Karpman observed that we can be seduced by the energy generated in conflict. Drama, drama, drama.

VICTIMS are helpless and ashamed, deniers of personal responsibility for their attitude and actions. To win means to have everyone's attention and pity.

PERSECUTORS are bullies who blame and take no responsibility for any harm they cause to others. To win means to shut down an interaction.

RESCUERS are needy caretakers seeking to be seen as good even at their own expense, ignoring underlying conflicts. To win means to make everyone happy.

The only way to escape the games played in the Drama Triangle is to stop playing. If you want to see the drama triangle in action, participate in a volatile political or religious thread on Twitter. Fallacies of thought are often used to maintain the drama.  

Overcoming Resistance to New Thinking

Whether due to differences in ideology, perspectives -- or even upbringing -- we understand our world in our own ways. We gather facts and determine what they mean. Sometimes the same facts produce conflicting opinions. "Agreeing to disagree" is a way of recognizing differences. In the alternative, we simply disagree.

When new facts threaten our sense of what is correct, we can fight, run away or think more deeply about our opinions and beliefs. The reactive characters respond to conflicting opinions in their own way. Replacing reaction with thought is the ultimate goal. Here are examples of moving from reactivity to thinking.

              EEK

             GRR

            POO

             UGH

            AH HA

Dramafied Triggers of Learning

Emotional triggers are a survival response. As part of growing up, we associated pain with whatever else was happening when we got hurt. Each of us has personal triggers that promote reactive behaviors. We can't control our triggers, especially those from early childhood experience. We can learn to manage them IF we recognize they exist. Otherwise, we resist learning new knowledge.

                                               When EEK is emotionally triggered.

When GRR is emotionally triggered.

         

When POO is emotionally triggered.

When UGH is emotionally triggered.

         

When AH HA is emotionally triggered.

         

Dramafied Resistance to Learning

Embracing and integrating new information is challenging, especially if it cracks the foundation of what you believe you already know. Nor is it unusual to get stuck during the natural progression that leads to to acceptance. Reactive behaviors to new knowledge includes:

Dramafied Characters of Reactive Emotion

The dramafied process of integrating new knowledge (especially when in threatens a foundation of belief and understanding)  provokes emotion and resistance. Surrendering to your feelings is less about control and more about management. The order of emotional experience can vary and periodically turn in on itself.These are the main characters:.

EEK is about fear and the freak out that comes with confronting new information whose ramifications could force you to change your mind. Your sense of security and confidence is challenged.

GRR is a natural followup of the anger and frustration as you re-evaluate your beliefs.

POO can result in feelings of defeat because you are forced to recognize denial. However, it can also be an indication of your willingness to grieve over letting go of old beliefs.

UGH, like POO, can move you forward or stop you in your tracks with the depression that comes from recognizing a change is needed. However, it can also serve as a waiting period while your thoughts and emotions move towards acceptance.

AH HA is the payoff. There is great joy in changing your mind due to new knowledge, The spark of the moment of AH HA brings information together in a way that opens the door to new knowledge.