Thursday, April 26, 2018

Perfectionist Fallacy--But Worse!


https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/oct/09/aids

Notice that the Vatican, under a very charitable interpretation, is saying something like this:

P1: Condoms won't stop AIDS in all cases.
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C : Condoms shouldn't be used at all (abstinence is the only reasonable alternative).

This is an example of a sub-case of False Dilemma entitled the Perfectionist Fallacy where the false choice is between: (1.) having condoms work perfectly or (2.) not using them at all.

Obviously, the third and highly reasonable alternative given the human lives at stake in Kenya, etc. is to endorse the use of condoms fully knowing that their use will not be perfect--but still much better than unprotected sex.

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