{"id":3466,"date":"2010-10-26T10:57:02","date_gmt":"2010-10-26T14:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.faithpromotingrumor.com\/?p=3466"},"modified":"2010-10-26T10:57:02","modified_gmt":"2010-10-26T14:57:02","slug":"gut-instinct-ways-to-evaluate-arguments-at-first-glance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/faithpromotingrumor\/2010\/10\/gut-instinct-ways-to-evaluate-arguments-at-first-glance\/","title":{"rendered":"Gut instinct ways to evaluate arguments at first glance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

I\u2019ve been ramping up for next year\u2019s SS focus on the New Testament by reading John P. Meier\u2019s\u00a0A<\/a> Marg<\/a>inal Jew<\/a><\/em> series<\/a>. [Note: I am not a SS instructor, I\u2019m reading it for myself.] The series contains so much info there\u2019s no way I\u2019m going to remember everything he covers, but I believe it will be easier to remember the general thrust of his argument (the over-riding themes, methods he uses to evaluate the information according to the goal he explicitly set at the outset, etc.).<\/p>\n

In an offhanded footnote Meier reminds readers that \u201cexamining our presuppositions makes us more modest in our claims.\u201d1<\/sup><\/a> As a reader I can certainly identify with his statement. Watching the author discuss his own presuppositions and examine those of other writers on the topics he is addressing really brings home how contested any single historical \u201cfact\u201d can be. Meier\u2019s extensive footnotes highlight the messiness of history. As a Mormon I can certainly identify with this statement. Understanding some of the tendencies we have to Mormonize the scriptures helps keep me a little more modest in my claims.<\/p>\n

Above all, thinking about Meier\u2019s approach has helped me self-clarify how my \u201cgut instinct\u201d reaction to arguments (in books, online, in person, etc.) operates below the surface. I\u2019m more likely to feel comfortable about assertions if they have some of these characteristics. Otherwise, I might start reaching for the BS flag:
\n
\n1) Goal. An explicitly stated goal\u2013 what is the point being addressed? The question itself is often an indication of the presuppositions and it helps to know what is being addressed specifically.<\/p>\n

2) Outlined Criteria\/Method. To achieve the goal it helps to have an outlined criteria, or \u201croad map\u201d as Meier might say. This can be implicit or explicit, but there should be an agreed upon way to measure the data, or what constitutes data, etc. This indicates to me that the person is serious about holding themselves accountable. \u201cMuddling through\u201d as he notes, usually results in mud, and it often just leads to the supporting of your initial theory or idea anyway.<\/p>\n

3) Nuance. I don\u2019t really mean vague hedging, although hedging can be a good sign that at least the person is trying to be forthright and careful. Nuance can be seen when an arguer gives several different approaches or answers to the question(s). Arguments which consist of the opposite of nuance, that is broad generalizations, are usually more likely to make me question their accuracy.<\/p>\n

3) Awareness. Related to 3 is the arguer\u2019s relation to the wider discussion. Meier\u2019s footnotes are full of contrary opinions, and while he is often citing them either for support or to disagree (rather than a vague \u2018check this out too!), it demonstrates his familiarity with contrary opinions and the broader discussion. This is especially persuasive depending on the types of sources, their background, etc., and his ability to present them fairly as opposed to snarkily writing them off (although there is a little bit of that too in Meier). Awareness of one\u2019s presuppositions, the hidden warrant in arguments, is also a good sign that the arguer is not entirely off her rocker.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

When I consider arguments that don\u2019t demonstrate some of those points above (and again, the list is not exhaustive nor rigorous; it is a gut instinct thing) I feel the urge to question the arguer about their sources, their method\/criteria, their background, and perhaps consider the reasons why a particular angle makes sense or is appealing to them.\u00a0I\u2019m less likely to have confidence in someone\u2019s arguments if they do things like misspell words or incorrectly number lists.\u00a0If the person is making sweeping generalizations, it seems as though they are overconfident and lacking in perspective, they are probably wrong (or not responsibly correct anyway). Using labels to dismiss arguments or positions (\u201cthat guy is an atheist,\u201d \u201cthat lady is an apologist\u201d) is another indication that the person either doesn\u2019t understand the other\u2019s position, or doesn\u2019t respect it enough. These things might signal an unwillingness to examine one\u2019s own prejudices, or evince a mind already made up and not interested in changing.\n

What leads you to trust a source? What red flags make you second-guess?<\/p><\/div>\n

__________________________<\/p>\n

1.<\/a> John P. Meier, A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus, Volume 4: Law and Love<\/em> (Yale University Press, 2009), 66.\u00a0[For you Catholics out there, Imprimateur\u2013Hartford, CT, December 16, 2008\u2013The Most Rev. Henry J. Mansell, D.D.]<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ve been ramping up for next year\u2019s SS focus on the New Testament by reading John P. Meier\u2019s\u00a0A Marginal Jew series. [Note: I am not a SS instructor, I\u2019m reading it for myself.] The series contains so much info there\u2019s no way I\u2019m going to remember everything he covers, but I believe it will be […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":315,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nGut instinct ways to evaluate arguments at first glance<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"I've been ramping up for next year's SS focus on the New Testament by reading John P. Meier's\u00a0A Marginal Jew series. 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