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Made-up Stuff Disguised as Reality
Real-sounding labels cause made-up stuff to seem real, but it’s no less made-up when it has a new name. Besides using euphemistic words like “axiom” for made-up stuff, we sometimes use words that mean reality. We use these real-sounding words as labels for made-up stuff. Here are examples of false labels that persuaders apply to made-up stuff to make it seem like it’s real:
- proof
- facts
- evidence
- scientific knowledge
- scientific fact
These words imply truth, yet persuaders apply them to made-up stuff. Using any of these words to refer to made-up stuff blurs the distinction between reality and make-believe. As we consider this problem, we remember that blurring the difference between reality and make-believe is insanity. This is also true of blurring the difference between truth and error or the difference between good and evil. The most basic point to understand is that all fallacies blur the distinction between reality and made-up stuff. While fallacies begin as thoughts, they expose themselves as words and deeds. And even a single fallacy destroys the entire chain of reason. A chain of thought is only as strong as its weakest link, but fallacies have no strength. They just deceive.
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