James Watkins: Publications

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0009-0004-7151-433X

Areas of Specialization

History of Western Philosophy

Normative Ethics

Meta-Ethics

Social and Political Philosophy

Areas of Interest

History of Western Philosophy

Metaphysics and Epistemology

Meta-Ethics

Normative Ethics

Social and Political Philosophy

Ancient Greek Political Philosophy

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537

Lying and Speaking Falsely, and other Relevant Musings

In recent decades, the traditional meaning of the word "lie" has evolved in ordinary American usage, leading to widespread confusion about what constitutes a lie. This article provides an introductory clarification of the historic distinction between lying and speaking falsely and then examines several specific categories of lies, including white lies, lies of omission, benevolent lies, and Plato’s noble lie.

Normative Ethics, Miscellaneous Moral Language Social Ethics Applied Ethics, Miscellaneous Philosophy, M…Read more
Normative Ethics, Miscellaneous Moral Language Social Ethics Applied Ethics, Miscellaneous Philosophy, Miscellaneous Culture and Cultures Social Philosophy
403

The Ideological Receptor in Normal Cognitive Function

In this article I review the defining qualities of an ideology, and I introduce the notion of an ideological receptor, which I propose to be an innate cognitive structure in normal human beings. The existence of this ideological receptor would explain the common human tendency toward embracing ideologies essentially spontaneously and uncritically. This tendency is relevant to critical thinking due to the fact that some ideologies are comprised of beliefs that are false, or maladaptive, or belief…Read more
In this article I review the defining qualities of an ideology, and I introduce the notion of an ideological receptor, which I propose to be an innate cognitive structure in normal human beings. The existence of this ideological receptor would explain the common human tendency toward embracing ideologies essentially spontaneously and uncritically. This tendency is relevant to critical thinking due to the fact that some ideologies are comprised of beliefs that are false, or maladaptive, or beliefs that prescribe actions that are immoral. The ideological receptor should be relatively uncontroversial since it simply groups together several widely acknowledged functions of normal human cognition into a larger, functional cognitive system. That being said, grouping these independent functions together under a unifying label can constitute an arguably useful model of yet another obstacle to critical thinking, and in theory, an awareness of this obstacle can potentially facilitate its neutralization.

Cognitive Sciences, Misc Informal Logic Critical Thinking Philosophy of Cognitive Science, Miscellaneou…Read more
Cognitive Sciences, Misc Informal Logic Critical Thinking Philosophy of Cognitive Science, Miscellaneous
1048

Three New Fallacies: Appeals to Polite Conversation, Trivial Refutation, and Trivial Defense

Fallacious reasoning can stem from interacting with purported advocates and/or critics who are not competent to fulfil their respective roles relative to the topic under discussion. The notions of the “incompetent advocate” and the “incompetent critic” are introduced and described, and they are then invoked in the descriptions of three new fallacies. I conclude with some recommendations as to how one can avoid these fallacious traps.

Informal Logic Logical Consequence and Entailment
420

Dysinferentia: A Potential Learning Disability in Logic

Having taught informal logic and critical thinking for decades, I surmise that there are rare learners who seem to manifest an undocumented learning disability marked by the incapacity to recognize the presence or absence of inferential relationships between propositions. In this brief paper I propose that such a learning disability exists, and I argue that this learning disability should be termed dysinferentia.

Logical Consequence and Entailment Philosophy of Cognitive Science, Miscellaneous Informal Logic

James Watkins

Lying and Speaking Falsely, and other Relevant Musings

The Ideological Receptor in Normal Cognitive Function

Three New Fallacies: Appeals to Polite Conversation, Trivial Refutation, and Trivial Defense

Dysinferentia: A Potential Learning Disability in Logic