Intellectual dishonesty: Difference between revisions

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	The terms ''intellectually dishonest'' and ''intellectual dishonesty'' are often used as rhetorical devices in a debate; the label invariably frames an opponent in a negative light. It is an ] way to say "''you're lying''" or "''you're stupid''", and has a cooling effect on conversations similar to accusations of ignorance.		The terms ''intellectually dishonest'' and ''intellectual dishonesty'' are often used as rhetorical devices in a debate; the label invariably frames an opponent in a negative light. It is an ] way to say "''you're lying''" or "''you're stupid''", and has a cooling effect on conversations similar to accusations of ignorance.

	The phrase is also frequently used by orators when a debate foe or audient reaches a conclusion varying from the speaker's on a given subject. This appears mostly in debates or discussions of speculative, non-scientific issues, such as ] or ]. In such cases, the speaker is (perhaps unwittingly, and always ]) guilty of both intellectual dishonesty ''and'' ignorance, because he or she has mistaken opinions for verifiable facts.		The phrase is also frequently used by orators when a debate foe or audient reaches a conclusion varying from the speaker's on a given subject. This appears mostly in debates or discussions of speculative, non-scientific issues, such as ] or ]. In such cases, the speaker is (perhaps unwittingly, and always ]) guilty of both intellectual dishonesty ''and'' ignorance, because he or she has mistaken opinions for verifiable facts. Please remember that this stub has not yet got sources, and verification.

	== See also ==		== See also ==

Revision as of 10:05, 9 February 2007

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Intellectual dishonesty is the advocacy of a position known to be false. Rhetoric is used to advance an agenda or to reinforce one's deeply held beliefs in the face of overwhelming contrary evidence. If a person is aware of the evidence and the conclusion it portends, yet holds a contradictory view, it is intellectual dishonesty. If the person is unaware of the evidence, their position is ignorance, even if in agreement with the scientific conclusion.

The terms intellectually dishonest and intellectual dishonesty are often used as rhetorical devices in a debate; the label invariably frames an opponent in a negative light. It is an obfuscatory way to say "you're lying" or "you're stupid", and has a cooling effect on conversations similar to accusations of ignorance.

The phrase is also frequently used by orators when a debate foe or audient reaches a conclusion varying from the speaker's on a given subject. This appears mostly in debates or discussions of speculative, non-scientific issues, such as morality or policy. In such cases, the speaker is (perhaps unwittingly, and always ironically) guilty of both intellectual dishonesty and ignorance, because he or she has mistaken opinions for verifiable facts. Please remember that this stub has not yet got sources, and verification.

Revision as of 10:05, 9 February 2007

See also