Above is a video made known to me by two comrades. In it, Data, a logic-driven android incapable of understanding or feeling emotion, struggles with the concept of terrorism as a means to achieve political goals. While I do not advocate any form of terror (Hi DHS ;) or violence against innocent people, I aim to utilize critical thinking for this object lesson in logic. One definition of logic states "a particular method of reasoning or argumentation: We were unable to follow his logic" And another, "the science that investigates the principles governing correct or reliable inference". It is a systematic method of resolving inconsistencies in a line of thinking. Quickly defining terrorism "the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes" Now let us take an easy example: Iran.
Iran has a nuclear power program. The United States claims Iran has a covert weapons program, and demands(as a precondition to diplomacy) that Iran halt work. Here is where the logic comes in. Doing a quick search now using the terms "Iran options on the table", quoting Reuters, "In his State of the Union address, Obama said Tehran was isolated and facing "crippling" sanctions that he said would continue so long as the Islamic Republic keeps its back turned to the international community."America is determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and I will take no options off the table to achieve that goal. But a peaceful resolution of this issue is still possible, and far better, and if Iran changes course and meets its obligations, it can rejoin the community of nations," he said."
Terror: use of violence/threats to intimidate, for political purpose
President: I will take no options off the table to achieve that goal
President = Terrorism?
Logic truly is that basic. There will always be qualifiers and variables in any equation. In the same manner, there will always exist differing social/political/moral viewpoints surrounding an issue. However, logic lacks distinguishing and malleable filters for every situation. It sees beyond mere human constrictions and strikes to the core of claims, statements, and equivocal assertions. If only more humans had an interest in developing this ability..
Anyone interested or skeptical about my claims regarding logic can learn more below, free your mind!
