[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by Superman
Joe, one of my favorite philosophy classes was one called "Logic." In that class, we looked at deductive and inductive arguments. Obviously the former are stronger than the latter but even inductive proofs can have substantial merit. On the other hand, there are argument tactics that have no merit whatsoever and only serve to confuse and sidestep the more meritorious premises and observations. Appeal to Authority is one of those. "This guy said it, so it's true." Or "This guy has no experience, so his opinions are obviously false."

When you drew the conclusion that Stijn's observations should be dismissed out of hand because his military experience fails to meet your criteria ("I rest my case you Honor"), it was your logic that failed, not his. In a hiring decision, experience is quite relevant. In a logical argument, experience has absolutely no merit or weight whatsoever. The arguments stand on their own........or not.

Supe,

I never said that Stijn's observations should be dismissed. Please show where I said that then lets move on.

My comments in this area are that someone who has military experience and background might very well know a lot more about the MILITARY than someone with absolutely NO EXPERIENCE in the military! Novel idea that this was!

I do not go to a hardware store to buy my groceries. I do not go to a Burger King for camera supplies. I do not go to the dentist and ask for tires for my car.

I tend to go to someone who knows about what I am looking for. Therefore I go to a supermarket for my groceries, camera store for camera stuff and so on. Following this same LOGICAL reasoning I tend to view someone who has spent their entire life with the American MILITARY as knowing a bit more than someone from Rotterdamm who has absolutely no MILITARY EXPERIENCE at all.

If I ever needed information about Rotterdamm I would contact him immediately as he is very experienced, as I believe that he has lived in that area of Europe most of his life. BTW, Stijn you might not like this but part of my family lived in Rotterdamm in 1507. We might be related and wouldnt that be a joy!

Joe A