A Logical Take

Environment

Why the Fusion Breakthrough Could Make Climate Change Worse

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on December 16, 2022

Future green energy fusion reactors won’t do us any good if we ruin the Earth (or go extinct) before we have the ability to build them.

Future green energy fusion reactors won’t do us any good if we ruin the Earth (or go extinct) before we have the ability to build them.

Pregnancy

The Trouble With Vaccine Hesitancy

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on August 18, 2021

A Personal Perspective: Examining the argument of my body, my choice.

A Personal Perspective: Examining the argument of my body, my choice.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

My Body, My Choice: Examining the Anti-Vax Argument

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on August 16, 2021

A Personal Perspective: Is "my body, my choice" a legitimate argument for not getting vaccinated? Or does the fact that you are legally allowed to do something not entail that it is rational or moral?

A Personal Perspective: Is "my body, my choice" a legitimate argument for not getting vaccinated? Or does the fact that you are legally allowed to do something not entail that it is rational or moral?

Smoking

The Logic of the COVID “Lab Leak" Hypothesis

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on May 26, 2021

For some, the "origin" of COVID (near the Wuhan lab) and the three hospitalized Wuhan lab workers are the smoking guns that prove COVID leaked out of a lab. They're not.

For some, the "origin" of COVID (near the Wuhan lab) and the three hospitalized Wuhan lab workers are the smoking guns that prove COVID leaked out of a lab. They're not.

Media

False Equivalence: Election Unrest in 2020 vs. 2016

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on November 17, 2020

There is a huge difference between “Not My President” and “Not The President.”

There is a huge difference between “Not My President” and “Not The President.”

President Donald Trump

No, Mail-In Voter Fraud Is Not Rampant. It's Rare.

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on October 22, 2020

Unsuccessful attempts at voter fraud cannot be evidence of successful attempts at voter fraud. To think otherwise commits what is called the fallacy of “missing the point.” 

Unsuccessful attempts at voter fraud cannot be evidence of successful attempts at voter fraud. To think otherwise commits what is called the fallacy of “missing the point.” 

Attention

Equivocating on "The Peaceful Transition of Power"

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on October 8, 2020

Equivocation is often used to make weak arguments look strong, but it can also be used as a distraction, a red herring, to deflect criticism.

Equivocation is often used to make weak arguments look strong, but it can also be used as a distraction, a red herring, to deflect criticism.

Intelligence

Analogy, Insulting Hypocrisy, and Supreme Court Nominations

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on September 29, 2020

The arguments for nominating a Supreme Court Justice in 2020, despite what happened in 2016, are an insult to our collective intelligence.

The arguments for nominating a Supreme Court Justice in 2020, despite what happened in 2016, are an insult to our collective intelligence.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Herman Cain's Death, RCTs, and the Mask Debate

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on July 30, 2020

Herman Cain's death after attending a rally where no one wore masks might not teach us much; but it might teach us more than most randomized controlled trials on masks do.

Herman Cain's death after attending a rally where no one wore masks might not teach us much; but it might teach us more than most randomized controlled trials on masks do.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Public Medical Advice: Why Intellectual Character Matters

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on July 30, 2020

When it comes to medical advice, intellectual character matters.

When it comes to medical advice, intellectual character matters.

Career

Masks (Still) Work: Debunking (More) Pseudoscience

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on July 16, 2020

How (inappropriate) appeals to authority fuel pseudoscience

How (inappropriate) appeals to authority fuel pseudoscience

Career

Yes, Masks Work: Debunking the Pseudoscience

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on July 14, 2020

How does expectation bias fuel Denis Rancourt's pseudoscience on the effectiveness of masks? By making people see what they want.

How does expectation bias fuel Denis Rancourt's pseudoscience on the effectiveness of masks? By making people see what they want.

Philosophy

Firework Bans and Wearing Masks

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on July 4, 2020

“But my freedom” doesn’t work as a reason to ignore a ban on lighting fireworks during a drought nor to not wear a mask during a pandemic.

“But my freedom” doesn’t work as a reason to ignore a ban on lighting fireworks during a drought nor to not wear a mask during a pandemic.

Philosophy

"Hate Has No Home Here" and the Paradox of Tolerance

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on July 2, 2020

Is intolerance of intolerance, well, intolerant? Is hating hate hateful?

Is intolerance of intolerance, well, intolerant? Is hating hate hateful?

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Masks, COVID, and the Ethics of Belief

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on June 28, 2020

We no longer need thought experiments to prove Clifford right. COVID has shown that epistemic laziness is detrimental to society.

We no longer need thought experiments to prove Clifford right. COVID has shown that epistemic laziness is detrimental to society.

Transgender

Opinions, Rights, and Transgender Persons

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on June 22, 2020

Transgender persons have a moral and epistemic right to claim their gender differs from their biological sex.

Transgender persons have a moral and epistemic right to claim their gender differs from their biological sex.

Philosophy

The Galileo Gambit and Appealing to Ignorance

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on June 21, 2020

A one-in-a-million chance that you are right, doesn’t mean that you are.

A one-in-a-million chance that you are right, doesn’t mean that you are.

Bias

Confirmation Bias and Police Brutality

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on June 1, 2020

The human tendency to only look for evidence that confirms what we want to believe is strong--and could be standing in the way of acknowledging the truth about police brutality. 

The human tendency to only look for evidence that confirms what we want to believe is strong--and could be standing in the way of acknowledging the truth about police brutality. 

Philosophy

Do You Have a Right to Your Opinion?

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on May 18, 2020

Invoking one’s right to their opinion is usually just a way to continue to believe what should not be believed.

Invoking one’s right to their opinion is usually just a way to continue to believe what should not be believed.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Is the Cure Really Worse Than the Problem?

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on March 24, 2020

Could social distancing and an economic downturn be worse the deaths caused by COVID-19? No, and here's why.

Could social distancing and an economic downturn be worse the deaths caused by COVID-19? No, and here's why.