Definition and Examples of Red Herrings in Logic

Definition and Examples of Red Herrings in Logic In logic and rhetoric, a red herring is an observation that draws attention away from the central issue in an argument or discussion; an informal logical fallacy. Also called a decoy. In certain types of fiction (especially in mystery and detective stories), authors deliberately use red herrings as a plot device to mislead readers (metaphorically, to throw them off the scent) in order to maintain interest and generate suspense.The term red herring (an idiom) supposedly arose from the practice of distracting hunting dogs by dragging a smelly, salt-cured herring across the trail of the animal they were pursuing. Examples and Observations A red herring is a detail or remark inserted into a discussion, either intentionally or unintentionally, that sidetracks the discussion. The red herring is invariably irrelevant and is often emotionally charged. The participants in the discussion go after the red herring and forget what they were initially talking about; in fact, they may never get back to their original topic.(Robert J. Gula, Nonsense: Red Herrings, Straw Men and Sacred Cows: How We Abuse Logic in Our Everyday Language. Axios, 2007)Some analysts even question the widespread assumption that rising consumption in developing nations will continue to force up food prices. Paul Ashworth, senior international economist at Capital Economics, calls that argument a red herring, saying that consumption of meat in China and India has reached a plateau.(Patrick Falby, Economy: Panicked About Expensive Food And Oil? Don’t Be. Newsweek, Dec. 31, 2007-Jan. 7, 2008) Alastair Campbells Red Herring Credit where credit is due. In the space of a couple of days, Alastair Campbell has managed to turn an argument about the way the government presented its case for war in Iraq into an entirely different dispute about the way the BBC covered what was going on in Whitehall at the time. As a piece of news management, it has been brilliantly done. Hats off to Mr Campbell for the way he pulled the trick. It is easy to imagine, in years to come, how a new generation of trainee spin doctors will be raised on this case study of how the master was able to wrongfoot his tormentors so successfully.Brilliant or not, what Mr. Campbell has achieved is largely a classic use of a very pungent red herring. The BBCs reporting, though important, is not in fact the real issue; that is the strength of the case for action against Iraq. Nor is the red herring within a red herring about single sourced stories really relevant either; if your source is good enough, then the story is too.(Labours Phoney War, T he Guardian [UK],  June 28, 2003) Red Herrings in a Henning Mankell Mystery Novel There is something in the report that disturbs me, [President de Clerk] said. Let us assume there are red herrings laid out in appropriate places. Let us imagine two different sets of circumstances. One is that its me, the president, who is the intended victim. Id like you to read the report with that in mind, Scheepers. Id also like you to consider the possibility that these people intend to attack both Mandela and myself. That doesnt mean Im excluding the possibility that it really is Mandela these lunatics are after. I just want you to think critically about what you are doing. Pieter van Heerden was murdered. That means there are eyes and ears everywhere. Experience has taught me that red herrings are an important part of intelligence work. Do you follow me?(Henning Mankell,  The White Lioness, trans. by Laurie Thompson. The New Press, 2011) The Lighter Side of Red Herrings What about Red Herring, maam?Im not sure. Is Red Herring a red herring?  Or is it the fact that were meant to think  Red Herring is a  red herring that is actually the red herring?Or perhaps the fact youre meant to think Red Herring isnt a red herring is what makes Red Herring a red herring after all.Were talking serious metaherrings here.(Jasper Fforde, One of Our Thursdays Is Missing. Viking, 2011)

De young museum ( San Francisco ) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

De young museum ( San Francisco ) - Essay Example When the building was initially constructed, there were lacking tools and equipment that could be used for construction. The museum is an amalgamation of past and present designs and architectural excellence. This paper contains description of the museum’s construction and relevant details. De Young Museum (San Francisco) The M.H De Young memorial museum is the complete name of a fine arts museum situated in San Francisco but it is commonly known and called â€Å"De Young Museum†. This museum is located in the famous golden gate park of San Francisco. Initially the museum was housed in a fine arts building having the Egyptian style structure. The old museum occupied the area of approximately 1, 40000 square feet where as the new building occupies the area of about 292,000 square feet. De young museum was founded in 1895 and since then it is the hub of the cultural fabric of the city of San Francisco. Fine arts museum was an outgrowth of an exposition that took place in San Francisco in 1894. Different sorts of construction material were used to construct a splendid building of all times. Copper, wood, steel and glass were so beautifully used to merge the outlook of museum with surroundings of golden Green Park. Effort was made to complement the old hazardous building of the museum. Italian porphyry stone is used on the lobby floor of the museum. Fabric ceilings and wood flooring were used for designing the interior. The building was decorated with the images of hathor, commonly known as cow goddess. Museum was badly damaged by the earthquake in 1906 and it was closed for public. Concrete ornaments and large quantity of steel was used in museum’s construction (M.H. De Young Memorial Museum, et al. 184). De young memorial museum is great specimen of construction, engineering and architecture. Construction of such a building in those times without use of modern machinery was only possible by labor force and use of skills by the construction co mpanies. M. H. de Young Memorial Museum (Old Building) The M.H De Young memorial museum is the complete name of a fine arts museum situated in San Francisco but it is commonly known and called â€Å"De Young Museum†. The museum is the result of California midwinter international exhibition held in 1894. After the exhibition the museum was first opened for the public in 1895. The midwinter fair used to operate from January to July during that era. The exhibition of 1894 was held in the same golden gate park where the museum is situated now. De young was editor and proprietor of the San Francisco chronicle. The San Francisco exhibition was the idea of De young that resulted in the construction of great fine arts museum at golden gate park (M.H. De Young Memorial Museum 64). The M. H. De Young Memorial Museum in 1895 Since then the museum faced natural disinters and renovation of the museum is still a continuous process. The earthquake of 1906 badly damaged the fine arts buildin g and after words the building was demolished and reopened in 1929 in a Spanish style structure. The building was again declared a hazard as the ornaments decorated in the building began to fall in 1949. In 1972, De young fine arts museum was created as a separate entity. The museum aging faced a devastating earthquake in 1989 and building was again demolished and once again constructed at the same place in 2005. Since then

The Discord of Relativism in Relation to Universal Wrongs Essay

The Discord of Relativism in Relation to Universal Wrongs - Essay Example But ultimately there are conduct and actions that are acceptable or at the very least inoffensive and which holds in it a universal truth of applicability. In a directly inverse rationalization of the same concept, there are things that are inherently wrong no matter which corner of the world the same is committed. Lenn Goodman in â€Å"Some Moral Minima† exemplified on the assumption that there are inherently wrong things that would never pass any test of appropriateness. This assertion was based on four instances Goodman relates as ‘Deserts’ or expressions which distinguish human beings. His discourse on the verity of this proposition revolved around 1. genocide and induced famine, 2. terrorism and other acts such as hostage taking, 3. slavery, incest and polygamy and 4. rape and clitoridectomy or the removal of a female’s pleasure organ. The author recognizes the commonality among the enlisted illustration of wrongful acts because â€Å"All the wrongs m y proposed norms speak against drag with them some violation of the truth. Not that truth is somehow the arch-imperative from which all others rise, as if by deduction. But the linkage does suggest a way of looking at (or looking for) key moral norms† (Goodman, 2010, p.92). Essentially this argument is in direct contradiction to relativism which suggests that what constitutes right and wrong is dependent upon every culture, person or society. This truly is an appealing take on ethical perspectives because it creates a very wide ground to exonerate wrongful acts as long as they are permitted at any one exception. It qualifiedly extinguishes the distinction between right and wrong whenever relativism is accurately applied. â€Å"This approach seems to allow us to avoid having to defend ethical claims that can be difficult to defend; however, others maintain that relativism has certain crippling problems† (Mosser, 2010, p.11). The adherence to relativism would render the a rgument of Goodman devoid of any merit in the same way that Goodman’s proposition is in direct contradiction to relativism. Goodman did make a direct mention of relativism as the same was inevitable due to the conflict between the concepts. There are cultural and individual distinctions which qualify and fundamentally affect the customs of normal life. But emphasis was divulged in that people can deliberately perplex every given situation to distort the same through the simplistic reasoning that is anchored in relativism. There are objective values that are to be upheld above all others. This is not to say that they are absolutely unjustified but that they are not to be used indiscriminately. The opposition to relativism in the essay was delved into with Goodman’s suggestion that polygamy is among those that are simply wrong. â€Å"Relativists will say that romantic love and companionate marriage are recent inventions, culture-bound and fraught with troubles of their own†¦ But to say that an institution has a history or cultural setting does not imply that any alternative to it is equally humane† (2010, p.91). This is among the arguments that I do agree with. Yes, it may be true that divorce does occur and it is virtually available in all countries, but this does not in any way lessen the value given to marriage by any culture. There are different rituals that occur and the celebration of which vary accordingly but this only goes to show that the same is given much import. Polygamy is even perhaps among the reasons which perpetuate the truth in why Goodman states

Economic Impacts of Minimum Wage Increase Essay Example for Free

Economic Impacts of Minimum Wage Increase Essay The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 increased the minimum wage of $5. 15 per hour to $7. 15 per hour. It is believed that an increase in the minimum wage will not create negative implications on jobs, employment and inflation. Rather, wage increase legislated in the past three decades have made the most positive impacts in the economy, as the economy experienced the strongest growth during these times, and at the same time has generated more jobs. In contrast, when the minimum wage was held at a stagnant rate, fewer jobs have been created (Democrats Discuss†¦). Moreover, wages held at the minimum level translates to lower productivity level. In addition, states that are based on the minimum wage rates suffer from the high occurrence of unemployment. This is true in the case of Virginia, Wyoming and Hawaii; wherein the wages were kept in the minimum level which resulted to high percentage of unemployment. In addition to this, the increase in the unemployment rate is translated to changes in the GDP. According to economist Arthur Khon, every 1% increase in unemployment rate, the GDP falls by 2.5-3%. Therefore, if the wage rate is always kept at a minimum level, the tendency that unemployment rate will rise also increases, thus it creates a negative effect towards the country’s GDP (Mackenzie). Therefore, an increase in the minimum wage rate will have direct effects in the economy. First, it will translate in the increase of productivity level of the workers, it will also improve the buying power of the consumers and it will lessen the unemployment rate – all of which will have a positive rise in the GDP of the country.

Anthony Comstock †The Father of American Censorship Essay -- Explorat

Anthony Comstock – The Father of American Censorship Anthony Comstock was the most prominent American advocate of censorship in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.   Born in Connecticut in 1844, Comstock fought with the Union in the Civil War and upon release became an influential member of the Young Men’s Christian Association.   His personal quest to rid America of indecent and immoral literature made his name synonymous with the epithet â€Å"Comstockery† or the excessive pursuit of moralistic censorship.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Comstock soon realized that the YMCA was an insufficient front for his rigorous efforts to protect children from the corruptive effects of demoralizing publications.   In 1873 he helped found the Society for the Suppression of Vice, an organization of gentlemen from New York City.   In a November 1882 article in North American Review, Comstock describes the mission of this society, â€Å"the enforcement of the laws for the suppression of the trade in, and circulation of, obscene literature and illustrations, advertisements, and articles of indecent and immoral use.†...

Political Corruption

The main forms of corruption are bribery, fraud, embezzlement and extortion. These concepts do sometimes overlap, but through them, some of the basic characteristics of corruption can be identified.The reason why young people should fight corruption has to do with the fact that it destroys the system of values in society. Youth is part of civil society and carries the future in its hand and the fact that you are able to look at society in a refreshing way allows you to find alternative solutions for abstract problems. This part of the booklet is about concrete initiatives on how to fight corruption. In the whole world, there are many young people who stand firm and choose not take part of the vicious circle of corruption. But still too many young people are not well aware or think that they cannot make a difference. There are many success stories in fighting corruption: itis not an impossible thing! Of course we cannot expect it to disappear overnight, but every step we undertake con tributes to limit its harmful effects! In Hong Kong for instance, through a School Education Program, students are now better aware of the problem of corruption and do not tolerate it any longer.The International Youth Network against corruption (YNAC)This network links you to other young people worldwide and gives you the possibilities to air your concerns, to disseminate knowledge about corruption and to share ideas about the best ways to fight corruption. For its purposes, the Youth Network has a website with an interactive e-forum to discuss corruption related questions and to link together with youth from around world. This forum is openly accessible to everyone. The internet portal is designed for students and maintained by their input and content.2- Responsible organizations: In 2003, an international platform for youth was created in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The IACC12 Youth Forum integrates young people into the international movement for transparency and accountability in public and private spheres. In 2001, the Youth Network Against Corruption, YNAC, was founded in The Hague. Final declaration of the IACC Youth Forum: The participants of the IACC 2003 Youth Forum formulated a final declaration about their vision.After several days of workshops and discussions, they were able to identify the key issues concerning young people and to draw an Action Plan for their future commitment. Those young people envision â€Å"A World without Corruption† and are convinced of the need for an international youth anti-corruption movement. The Youth Action Plan drawn in Seoul includes among the main point that the organization of anti-corruption workshops, presentations and discussions have a predominant position.Sharing an action plan with other youth, developing the current website to conduct online surveys and share documents, approaching governments to ensure effective civic education programs and implementing the concepts of our network in local institut ions are other key issues. The participants also recommend the creation of a corruption index of educational institutions. Perhaps the most important point is the strong will to build linkages with other youth networks so as to be able to work together efficiently and to share experiences and ideas on fighting corruption.Together, the unique contribution and participation of young people will help enhance good governance through raising both local and global awareness. d- Youth for Good Governance, the World Bank Institute's nine modules Brief Description: During this distance learning program, students from various countries study important principles of political and economic organization and how those ideas relate to governance and anti-corruption strategies. The program highlights the important role that young people can play in improving governance in their countries.Ultimately, participants develop locally relevant and feasible plans of action that will enable them to apply th e knowledge and skills they acquire to their immediate society. Responsible organization: The World Bank Institute Implementation: The learning program was implemented in three phases between fall 2002 and the end of 2003. Schools in eight countries participated, namely: Ghana, Uganda, Ukraine, United States, Russia, Tanzania, Yugoslavia, and Zambia.

Interview Questions to Ask the Interviewer

Most interviews end with the age-old, â€Å"So, do you have any questions for me?† If you’re tempted to say, â€Å"Nope, I think you’ve covered everything, thanks for your time, stop right there. Don’t do it. This is asking not to get hired! It’s tantamount to saying, â€Å"Well, nothing you said in this interview really interested me in the slightest, so I think I’ll just move onto the next firm, see ya.† Bottom line: you should always, always have questions to ask. But, what kinds of questions should you ask? When interviewing a candidate to work at a law firm, whether through OCI or after graduation, it’s important that the potential new hire comes across as professional, but also that they are excited about the prospect of that particular job. So, how do you show this kind of enthusiasm and interest? How do you indicate to your interviewer that are amped up about this job and that if they have the choice between two candidates, they should give it to you? Well, you ask well-thought-out, well-researched questions, you listen carefully to their answers, and you ask follow-up questions if needed. Make your questions personalized, positive, and ask for advice. If for nothing else, the interviewer’s candid responses to your questions can be a tie-breaker later when you’re deciding which offer to accept. For this reason, it’s important to ask questions in a way that will get you the maximum â€Å"real† information. What I mean by that is, if you ask, â€Å"Are you happy working at this firm?† The interviewer really doesn’t have much of a choice but to say â€Å"yes† (they don’t want it getting back to their boss that they are unhappy!) and then they will usually tell you a little bit about why the work is interesting, the people are nice, and the opportunities are worthwhile. In other words, you will probably get a pretty standardized, general answer. However, if you ask instead, â€Å"What was your most gratifying accomplishment during your first year at the firm?† The answer you get will be more personalized, and it will give you a concrete example of what this person values, what the firm values in them, and what these so-called â€Å"opportunities† really look like in real life. Special bonus — a personalized answer will also give you a foothold for your thank you note you will be sending later. 10 Interview Questions You Can Ask the Interviewer Below are some of the most typical questions that candidates usually ask after interviews, followed by how you can spice them up to get yourself more useful responses: 1. Original Thought:  What do you think are the most important traits in an associate? Ask Instead:  What trait did you possess as a new associate that you think really worked well for you at this firm? Why? What qualities make a superstar at this firm? 2. Original Thought:  How is job performance evaluated? Ask Instead:  How often do associates have the chance to review their work with their supervisors. Is there anything you would recommend for a new hire to make sure they’re getting regular feedback from their assigning attorney? 3. Original Thought:  What do you like best about working with this firm? Why did you choose it? Ask Instead:  Can you think of one moment toward the start of your career with the firm that made you think, â€Å"Okay, I’ve really done a good job.† What was the project you were working on? Why did you like it? What was it that you did well? 4. Original Thought:  Are you in close contact with clients? How long did you work at the firm before you were? Ask Instead:  Have you ever met with clients in person, or do you mostly talk to them on the phone or via email? Are new associates encouraged to interact with clients, or if not, how long does it take before they can start getting client contact? 5. Original Thought: Did you always practice in your current specialty? If not, why did you change? Ask Instead:  What do you like about your current practice area? Is there anything about working in this area that you wish was different? 6. Original Thought:  What has surprised you about this job? Ask Instead:  When you first started with the firm, what is something you remember that caused you to re-evaluate your ideas or work style or mentality. Was there anything you used to do or think that you don’t anymore? What changed? 7. Original Thought:  If you could change anything about your job, what would it be? Ask Instead:  Every job has pros and cons. Is there anything in your daily work routine that you wish didn’t happen? Anything you would change if you could? 8. Original Thought:  What do you wish you would have asked when you interviewed? Ask Instead:  What do you think was the best question you asked when you interviewed with the firm? Or, alternatively, was there anything you didn’t ask that you wish you had? 9. Original Thought:  Where do you see the firm in five years? Ask Instead:  What are your work goals for the next year? What is something you haven’t had the opportunity to do yet that you really want to try before this year is up? 10. Original Thought: Will I be notified of a decision either way? Ask Instead:  When can I expect to hear about a decision?