C.S. Lewis' Straw Men
"We’re just babies making up a game, if you’re right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That’s why I’m going to stand by the play world. I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia. "
The fallacy inherent in Puddleglum's argument is, of course, that he has still failed to prove the existence of his world, and has merely reiterated that he likes it better than the world of the Green Lady. This is a fairly common argument, but it amazes me that anyone above the age of twelve (and I was vaguely uneasy with it even at twelve) is convinced by it. People seem to see something daring and bold in declaring that they'll continue to believe no matter what. Why is stubborn, irrational blindness held up as a virtue?
The fallacy inherent in Puddleglum's argument is, of course, that he has still failed to prove the existence of his world, and has merely reiterated that he likes it better than the world of the Green Lady. This is a fairly common argument, but it amazes me that anyone above the age of twelve (and I was vaguely uneasy with it even at twelve) is convinced by it. People seem to see something daring and bold in declaring that they'll continue to believe no matter what. Why is stubborn, irrational blindness held up as a virtue?