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<blockquote
cite="mid:AANLkTi=1vPK_ZQi+OkwNJisAW3NRGEc1wC6Tg=+E5Mzw@mail.gmail.com"
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<pre wrap="">Dan'l Danehy-Oakes wrote-
Thus, while your first statement is necessary it is not sufficient: it
is legitimate, and perhaps even necessary, to ask why <critic> chooses
the methodology s/he does and not some other methodology. The answer
to that question is going to be rooted in <critic>'s ideology and
metaphysics.
</pre>
</blockquote>
<br>
Analyzing an argument by the supposed motives of the arguer can
quickly go off the rails. <br>
<br>
From "Pilgrim's Regress" by CS Lewis:<br>
<br>
<blockquote>"'Come, come,' said the jailor. "You must know your
catechism by now. You, there' (and he pointed to a prisoner little
older than a boy whose name was Master Parrot), 'what is
argument?'<br>
<br>
'Argument,' said Master Parrot, 'is the attempted rationalization
of the arguer's desires.'<br>
<br>
'Very good,' replied the jailor, 'but you should turn out your
toes and put your hands behind your back. That is better. Now:
what is the proper answer to an argument proving the existence of
the Landlord? The proper answer is, 'You say that because you are
a Steward'. <br>
<br>
'Good boy. But hold your head up. That's right. And what is the
answer to an argument proving that Mr. Phally's songs are just as
brown as Mr. Halfways?'<br>
<br>
'There are two only generally necessary to damnation', said master
Parrot. 'The first is, "You say that because you are a Puritan,"
and the second is, "You say that because you are a sensualist." '<br>
<br>
'Good. Now just one more. What is the answer to an argument
turning on the belief that two and two make four?'<br>
<br>
'The answer is, "You say that because you are a mathematician." '<br>
<br>
'You are a very good boy,' said the jailor. "<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
u+16b9<br>
<br>
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