tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576018960973115197.post6856135912555923585..comments2024-01-15T02:20:27.230-08:00Comments on The MLM Syndrome: MLM and Appeal to Consequences FallacyJohn Doehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186871105223753934noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576018960973115197.post-37070588535466144102018-01-05T10:04:53.454-08:002018-01-05T10:04:53.454-08:00It's a peculiarly American trait to believe th...It's a peculiarly American trait to believe that high intelligence will always translate into financial success. There are various historical and religious reasons for this American habit of thought, but it would take a great deal of time and space to explore them thoroughly.<br /><br />Let me boil it down to a simple proposition: An American is supremely happy when he knows himself to be deeply virtuous, but also filthy rich at the same time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576018960973115197.post-76870048645737279072018-01-05T06:57:02.732-08:002018-01-05T06:57:02.732-08:00Anonymous --
That is a great example! This remind...Anonymous --<br /><br />That is a great example! This reminds me of correlation not directly relating to causation. Sure, there may be more smart rich people than dumb rich people, but there are plenty of examples to suggest being smart does not equal being rich.<br /><br />There are many examples in which this argument spirals. In the most basic sense, there are many different levels of "smart" and "rich", therefore to make the blanket statement "If you're so smart, why aren't you rich?" is inherently flawed. To assume all people that aren't rich are stupid, is also an extremely intellectually lazy perspective.<br /><br />Just because someone is "smart" in one category does not mean that translates well to other categories. We see this problem in various professions. A doctor may not be a savvy financial investor, would we say the doctor is stupid? A chess expert may not make as much as a professional football player, would we say the professional football player is smarter? <br /><br />Your point is great as well. Some people may not have an interest in money, and they find a much more fulfilled life in a profession that does not pay well. Everyone's value systems are different, and in some societies, money is not something people care about. Would those societies have zero "smart" people? John Doehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05186871105223753934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576018960973115197.post-15851049684399605862018-01-04T15:16:08.813-08:002018-01-04T15:16:08.813-08:00Another example of this "appeal to consequenc...Another example of this "appeal to consequences" fallacy is the question you sometimes get from an opponent: "If you're so smart, why aren't you rich?"<br /><br />It's a completely illogical statement, since it assumes that anyone who is intelligent will be sure to use his intelligence to enrich himself financially.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576018960973115197.post-84754083009670554052018-01-04T09:48:01.271-08:002018-01-04T09:48:01.271-08:00Joe --
Those are some great examples. This fallac...Joe --<br /><br />Those are some great examples. This fallacy has been spreading around the internet fairly recently, and it is frustrating because it can sound convincing to the uninformed. Yet, when we take a few seconds to think about the implications of this logic, it becomes astoundingly clear that it holds no weight. To suggest that anything can be determined by the result is overly simplified, and to act as though things are only bad if they have been to litigation, or shut down, is preposterous. <br /><br />I haven't followed the issues with "Herbalife" lately, but I'm sure there will be more litigation brought against them in the near future. The whole premise is flawed, therefore, any slight adjustment to a compensation plan will not have the overall desired effect. Even though it is sad that more people will continue to get conned, it is a huge step in the right direction for toppling this house of cards.John Doehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05186871105223753934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576018960973115197.post-83267293447538509752018-01-04T09:35:55.901-08:002018-01-04T09:35:55.901-08:00It is absolutely a logical fallacy. Illegal drug ...It is absolutely a logical fallacy. Illegal drug cartels are dangerous but are alive and well today. There are many pockets of illegal gambling that exist today. It's against the law to steal or murder but people who have committed these kinds of crimes are still walking the street.<br /><br />A good example is indeed Herbalife. Their US sales have dropped significantly ever since they have been required to show that they have "actual" customers. I'm going to keep an eye on them as the story unfolds.Joecoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09121920263105613498noreply@blogger.com