The Strawman fallacy is the most common fallacy seen in any debate or argument. Debates and arguments are not just idiosyncrasies of politics or religion, but is inherently present in many daily-life conversations. But if we ask, why do people use a Strawman fallacy-or any fallacy, for that matter? If you explore different types of fallacies, you see a similarity in the types of fallacies and cognitive distortions. Cognitive distortions are a way of thinking things in an unclear manner which often results in worsening of anxiety and sadness. These are quite amplified in those suffering from mental health challenges. But it is a mistake to think that only mental health patients should worry about identifying them. An average individual is also prone to a cognitive distortion albeit at a lower intensity.
Let’s try to highlight the similarities in cognitive distortions and logical fallacies by seeing some common types of both.
- Slippery Slope Fallacy and Catastrophising – A good thing about the names of these fallacies is that they are self-explanatory. It would be ironic if they weren’t. Slippery slope is a metaphor for an irreversible and unmanageable damage or outcome. The cognitive distortion in which one catastrophises and assumes the worst outcome is not very different from this way of thinking.
- False Dilemma and Black and White Thinking – A false dilemma is when you think, if you don’t take the one option, there is only one other option apart from this and you hence put yourself in a dilemma. Similarly, black and white thinking is a distorted way of thinking in which people think either something is all bad or all good. It can also mean similar polarisation of people, emotions and such into two categories : one of which is positive or favourable.
Coming back to the topic of arguments and debates, it is important to be aware of these fallacies and how intrinsically linked these are with our psyche. Being aware of these fallacies can help you be on track and avoid being swayed away by red herrings (another fallacy) and Strawman arguments. Knowing this also makes it easier to argue in a debate since the pattern of thinking is fundamentally similar and you can apply the same counter-argument to different people who have a similar tendency to be fallacious. Knowledge about cognitive distortions is also equally important because everyone is prone to it and understanding and countering these can save us a lot of worry and stress.
I surmise the thing that makes these two similar is emotion. Debates and arguments are often fuelled by emotions which can cloud the nuances of the topic and lead to misunderstandings. Cognitive distortions are also a byproduct of emotions, and when mental health issues make emotions difficult to manage, these distortions amplify.
Of course, no one can be entirely rational all the time. But the goal is to understand why and where we are more likely to fall short of making a rational decision and pursuing a rational process, especially when the stakes are high. Little insights from trivial debates, arguments, and thought distortions can train us for applying the same principle to more important issues where personal bias and fallacies should be kept at bay.
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