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We all evaluate factual claims and determine whether or not we think they are true or plausible. Each of us is an arbiter of what constitutes and extraordinary
by syzarian 4y ago
We all evaluate factual claims and determine whether or not we think they are true or plausible. Each of us is an arbiter of what constitutes and extraordinary claim in the same way each of us is an arbiter of what is moral/immoral.
A kook can be spotted by the way they talk. They have knowledge others don’t. They don’t say, “I’ve read that…” or “It seems like this might have happened.”. They speak with certainty and argue by assertion. Making one claim after another all without evidence. They link together facts by claiming some cabal or powerful person is behind things and a refusal to agree means you are a victim of propaganda. The thinking is disorganized. They have a need to evangelize their ideas and tend to think coincidences can’t happen. Correlation is causation.
- colordrops 4y agoAren't you exhibiting some of the characteristics you now describe?
- syzarian 4y agoAt the end of my second paragraph feel free to add, “In my opinion.”. I was stating my criteria for evaluating whether or not someone is a kook. While no one has appointed me an arbiter of such things I do have to evaluate claims and reason about them. Similarly no one appointed me an arbiter of morality but I do have to make moral judgements and determine wether or not a given act is justified or unjustified.