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Dissociative reasoning

     There seems to be a lot of this going around these days, especially in politics, where the arguments don't seem to be very well thought out.
     There was a line from the movie Amadeus which has always stuck in my mind. Young Mozart was presenting some sort of argument in front of the king, or count (he was an authority figure) and the man, at the end of Mozart's plea, flatly stated "You are passionate, Mozart,  but you do not PERSUDADE".


      There seems to be a lot of impassioned pleading going on these days but really folks- after the dust clears and you have time to think about it, does what they are saying ring true? Does it have validity? When you pick the arguments apart, carefully, and weigh all the facts, does the case so-stated hold water? Will it stand on its own merits? Or, is it just a flimsy house of cards that will collapse suddenly when its shoddy foundation gives way?
     That which is valid and true will stand the test of time. It may be attacked on all fronts, which might test it severely, but it will stand. Vague, unsubstantiated arguments for and against do nothing but waste time. Words backed by magical thinking, misdirection away from the subject matter, and even attacks against participants long gone from the scene are meaningless drivel that do not support the cause.


     You may win over the rabble with meaningless babble but you'll never reach the thinking part of the audience. Reach them and you can effect lasting, signifcant, and meaningful change. All else is just rearranging the furniture.
     Sufficient.