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Environmentalism in one country?
It might be a bit unseemly to link to a post which begins with some words of praise for me, but read further to get the beginnings of a critique from Lenin of my recent piece on The Environment. Lenin credits Chris from Explananda with making a good rejoinder to me in the comments section of my post, which in a way provides the frame for Lenin's assessment.
(Rhetorical) Question: why does the first - and currently only - commenter on Lenin's post feel the need to question the character of Professor Stott, whom I cite approvingly in my piece?
August 16, 2004 | Permalink
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Comments
A brief word of thanks for discussing my climate-change blog so
splendidly and for raising your most pertinent rhetorical question
above. The answer is, of course, that *ad personam* comment is just too
easy a cop out.
I therefore wanted to point out that I come from the left politically
(both 'Old' and 'New' Labour) and that on each issue I strive to make
up
my own mind concerning the fundamental science (or the
post-modern/non-modern construction of it). For example, while I am
sceptical of the 'global warming' myth, I am absolutely, and fiercely,
anti-tobacco. People who are tempted to try to pigeon-hole me should
thus also note that I have no links whatsoever with any large
corporations. The assumption in the Lenin Blog comment on this is
therefore quite misleading. One should always focus on the argument and
dialogue, and not be tempted to decline into the laziness of *ad
personam* astrology. Indeed, it is a basic philosophical error to make
the truth-value of a statement dependent on who *you think* is saying
it.
I shall read all further comment with immense interest. Many thanks
indeed. Philip.
Posted by: Philip Stott at Aug 16, 2004 3:59:27 PM
Philip,
Well said - it's good to have your input.
It's not for naught that ad hominem is considered a fallacy of relevance - it simply distracts from the point(s) at issue.
I know that you certainly don't consider yourself to be on the Right, politically; it's a shame that thinking on many matters is so rigified that opponents in debate jump to conclude that an overarching - possibly sinister - ideological commitment lies behind one's stand on any particular issue.
Posted by: Paul Craddick at Aug 16, 2004 10:14:19 PM