On assumptive statements and illogical concepts.
Let us suppose that statistics are valid and have any bearing on a supposition presented by those who wish us to believe their point of view or crusade. Consider this, for example: one third of all persons who have kiddy porn in their possession are guilty of molesting children. I read this the other day on the internet. The email was sent to me with the supposed intention of enlisting me in their campaign to end child abuse.
Now understand that I am opposed to all forms of abuse upon children, or any one else for that matter, but my objections to this particular sentence are based on real experiences and observations of the society I live in and not from some over zealous group’s outlandish attempts to grab my attention and therefore my support, and most likely my monetary donation. I am not easily won over by emotional appeals or hysteria monger’s calls for action from questionable organizations with mis-guided ideas and mis-taken conclusions. I am not moved by attempts to create hysteria in my mind or manipulate society with propaganda and extremist nonsense. Besides, the statement is completely absurd and illogical.
Referring back to the example above, “one third of all persons who have kiddy porn in their possession are guilty of molesting children.” I dare say the statistic is skewered considerably. Firstly, how do we know that the correct figure is one third of all persons that have kiddy porn in their possession? Answer: we don’t, and it is impossible to know. Perhaps the accurate percentage is one fifth, or fifty percent, or even one tenth. Or none! The statement is illogical as stated, but it could be that the author of the statement is illiterate or just not very adapt at writing in a logical fashion. My guess is that the writer of that statement has an agenda, and that agenda is not at all honorable, nor is it in the best interests of children or society.
Another thing wrong with the wording of this sentence is the alleged guilt (or innocence?) of those included in the equation. How does the writer know how many persons are molesting children in order to determine that one third of them are guilty of the accusation, or should I say the “assumption”? Is the author claiming that he or she knows every one that possesses “kiddy porn”? I hardly think so.
Could it be that he/she has possession of the court records of a known number of “convicted” child molesters, and somehow, also has psychic powers to look into the homes of everyone in the country and see who has or who doesn’t have kiddy porn in his possession? (We might conclude here that there are few women who possess kiddy porn since men are most often associated with having the alleged obscene materials and accused, correctly or not, of being perverts.)
The truth is I am generous towards those causes that support MY views and positions on social and political issues. Not necessarily with my money, for I have little funds to be handing out to every Tom, Dick, and Harriet who claims to be on my side or who claims to have a plan to eradicate pain and suffering in the world, or make right that which is wrong with our society, and thereby appeal to my weaknesses and ease somewhat my concerns and appease my guilty conscience. And then there are those who solicit my financial support so that they can put this country back on the right track towards re-establishing the Republic, returning Constitutional law and civility to our beloved land, and ridding us all of corruption in the government. I do my part, and more than my fair share, if I do say so myself. I’m making my contribution right now by putting these words together and by using my functional brain to compose what I am writing here. I do other things that serve as contributions to the causes that I am in favor of, that deserve my support. I live as an example, a good and honorable one I suspect. I wish to set a good example, certainly. I put more than a little effort into it. Effort that shows my commitment to Truth and Reason, and all those worthy causes that I believe would make this world a better place. I make no claims or declarations that I am not willing to back up with facts and genuine logic. Faulty logic will never do. And assumptions are a reckless human trait to depend on for valid rational conclusions.
Assumptions are usually inadequate to form a competent opinion, and hardly ever satisfy the requirements for a sound conclusion. Those who allow their assumptions, or their premature first impressions, to determine their conclusions are most often wrong. Perhaps “wrong” is too harsh to use here. Maybe I should use the word “inadequate”. In any event, assumptions alone are poor criteria for making what anyone might think are informed decisions and coming to enlightened conclusions.
Assumptions are unreliable. Acting on unreliable assumptions is foolhardy and can sometimes bring unpleasant consequences for both the one acting on assumptions and those that may be subjected to those actions.
I have been the victim of people acting on their assumptions. It rubs me the wrong way. It activates my sensitivities and my defenses. First impressions, when they are wrong, cut me to the core of my character and principles. How could that person be so foolish? Does she not see how illogical her thinking is? I am not the person she thinks I am or could possibly be. And, I am not given the benefit of the doubt, the opportunity to correct her thinking, or the respect that every one deserves no matter what the circumstances that led to the encounter. That is not always the case. Sometimes I am aware and in full control of my facilities and react immediately to such abuses. I was caught off guard in one of those rare moments when I was just out for a pleasant evening with my wife. I wasn’t thinking that I would be verbally assaulted while out for an ice cream cone with my spouse. Of course I have a particular person in mind as I relate this memorable event. I don’t know the woman’s name, or I would be bold enough to give it here. She showed me no respect. She deserves none in return. The occasion of that most disturbing exchange, she speaking towards me rudely and me enduring her abuse speechless and in a state of shock, occurred in a place of business. I left the establishment vowing, in my mind, never to return or allowing anyone in my family to do business there again. Her rude expressions directed at me and her inappropriate “assumptions” had earned her my utter contempt.
Now let me return to the original statement once again and say this. Can I conclude from the statement that the author knows for a fact that the other two thirds of “all” persons who have “kiddy porn” in their possession are, in fact, NOT guilty of molesting children? Or perhaps they just haven’t been caught, tried, and convicted yet. At any rate the author of the statement has no idea how many there are or who they may be. Are we to assume that anyone with so-called kiddy porn in their possession MAY be inclined to molest children? I think that may very well be the implication intended by the writer. If one third DO then by association the other two thirds probably do, or have, or will. I am not aware of any method available that would clearly show that all child molesters associate with each other or are even acquainted with all or part of the sum total of all child molesters, let alone those who might, and I repeat, might have child porn in their possession. The absurdity of the statement in question here is obvious. And I’m trying to avoid making any assumptions, but I will assume, with complete confidence from the evidence contained within the statement, that the author of the statement is an illiterate fool.
I have attempted to address the issue of making ridiculous and illogical statements. In doing so I have also intended to discredit the reckless custom of using “assumptions” as a legitimate method of arriving at valid conclusions. Rarely, if ever, does “assuming” an idea to be true or a preliminary impression to be accurate, result in sufficiently knowledgeable conclusions.
I believe that two-thirds of all the people who have possession of a brain are guilty of molesting the English language. I could be wrong.
