Arguing from ignorance

[mib24601]

Last night, after reading an argument online about IP and antitrust between several people, none of whom apparently knew anything about IP or antitrust, I remembered one thing that always bugs me: when people argue about a topic with no actual knowledge of the topic. Seriously, it's so aggravating

Comments

[melsmarsh]

People unfortunately like to argue. With most people, it is like a little knowledge makes them experts at least in their own mind!

Now I know a little about IP (I assume you mean intellectual property), but I suspect I don't have enough real information to say anything about it. Now I sometimes do chime in with discussions, usually with questions that show I know some but not all, but I don't... you know... go crazy with it. I try to avoid showing my complete lack of knowledge. :)

[a_tannenbaum]

You do me too much credit. But thanks.

Arguing from ignorance...ye gods, I see so much of that. That's one reason why I care about being a teacher. I look out at my class and I think that these people really believe that electing ONE MAN can change the world INSTANTLY and make it what they want it to be. They've never heard of Congress, judicial review, the separation of powers, and the sovereignty of the states, to say nothing of their ignorance of foreign countries and THEIR systems. Their knowledge of war comes from bad movies or video games. Religion? They don't know who Muhammad was; they don't know that Jesus was a Jew. Their knowledge of public affairs comes from blogs, and most blogs are written by ranters and evangelists of various extreme parties and unelectable candidates. Worst of all, they don't understand anything about human nature. They think human beings (including themselves) are naturally good. And if history teaches us anything about human nature, it tells us exactly the opposite.

Phooey, I say.

[miindy70]

Thank god it's not me

[mib24601]

Hi, who is this?