on idiotic phrases

[faboo]

I demand an end to the use of the phrase "slippery slope." Responding to an argument with "it's a slipper slope" is about the most hollow, insipid, and stupid ad hominen attack outside of calling someone a nazi. Basically you're saying "Oh, I'd agree with you - but I think you're too stupid not to start doing all kinds of crazy shit just because I

Comments

[knowmebymylaugh]

I don't understand your reasoning here -- I've always thought the phrase "slippery slope" was appropriate for when you're talking to someone who's started making concessions that they shouldn't.

[faboo]

"slipperly slope" is generally used in those instances where one thinks an action/idea will lead to Bad Things, but one is too lazy and/or ignorant to (rationally) explain why this is so.

e.g.: "Smoking pot may not be bad for you, but it's slipperly slope. Pretty soon these kids are holed up in a two dollar hostel freebasing meth out of a dollar hooker's maryjanes."

it's like starting a retort with "well, that's just plain wrong." even if you back up your claim reasonably, you've still fundementally insulted the other party to the argument.

[amethystmoon]

oh my god, I hate your argument, you're totally a nazi fag, Jersey-boy.

:p

[palantiri]

well, the term slippery slope can be valid. The philosophy course I took said that it could be a fallacy, but can also be valid. The difference is determined by verification and precedent.

also if we ban the phrase, what would I call a slick inclination?

[ellf]

Appealing to the authority of a book is fallacious. :)

That said, "slippery slope" typically does not mean that one -could- begin making stupid decisions, but rather, that giving the one authority to do something (typically something preferable) will inevitably produce other (typically non-preferable) results.

The idea here is that that the first action causes other results to occur, not that the first actor will personally perform them.

To faboo's point, one typically does not employ the slippery-slope defense in a disagreement with a person. Rather, it's something like: "if the United States allows Iran to develop nuclear power, it is embarking on a slippery slope that will end in either allowing other dangerous nations to do the same, or in global warfare."