Faulty Arguments In Basil Part 1 Xiaoyan Lin

12faulty Arguments In Basil Part 1xiaoyan Linfaulty Arguments In Basil

Commonly known by many as fallacy, it involves the act of portraying imperfect way of thinking thereby making an argument become unsound. In most of the cases, one would easily notice that fallacies are misleading even though they might appear to be displaying a form of good logic. The main reason as to why people resort to the use of fallacies is for the purposes of persuading others through the use of deceptive actions. In such like example, it is a type of fallacies that takes place intentionally. On the other hand, some types of fallacies might take place accidentally as a result of a person’s ignorance or by not being attentive enough.

In this paper, it emphasizes on the various examples of faulty arguments with identification of examples of faulty arguments from the attached file (Mendez-Vilas, 2013). Part 1 Examples of Faulty Arguments from the Attached File: 1) Common uses: “The most popular use of Basil is in culinary applications. They provide excellent aroma, especially of the Basil Pesto type. When dried up, Basil blends with almost all types of cooking and is experimented upon in many global cultures.” The above excerpt is the first example of a faulty argument as evident in the common uses of the herb Basil. It falls however, under Anecdotal formal type of faulty argument. In the given type, a person often uses either individual experiences or inaccessible presentation of deceptive facts instead of using valid arguments to justify the arguments. For instance, the individual above states that; ‘They provide excellent aroma, especially of the Basil Pesto type.’ From this argument, the general statement is invalid as there is no effective arguments on how the given type of the herb provides the excellent aroma.

2) Common uses: “Some cultures and populations use the dry basil leaves during facial steaming process to control headaches. The actual process involves mixing boiling water with a tablespoon of dried basil leaves. The patient then bends over the pot to inhale the steam as well as have the same massage the face as the head is covered by a towel/ cloth to contain the vapor (Hilutunen et al., 2003). The patient can hold still for about 5 to 10 minutes until the throbbing begins to decline. Likewise, Basil is an effective stress reliever when mixed with bathing water thus an individual feels relaxed after long bathing stints.” The above excerpt contains several examples of fallacy in the form of deceptive presentation of facts. In the above argument, the individual uses both the formal fallacy as well as to the informal fallacy. When the individual states that the actual process involves the mixture followed by the individual bending over to inhale the content through vapor form, it takes the form of skeptics in argument. He goes ahead arguing that after a period of about 5 to 10 minutes while still bending, there is much likelihood of the throbbing starting to decline. It is a totally deceptive argument. In addition, how can the given herb relieve stress when combined with bathing water? In this instance, it is a type of faulty argument that is informal in nature in that it portrays the burden of verification of facts.

3) Treatments: “Rarely does Basil extracts need additives to impact in human health. As used in studies involving human white blood cells, Vicenin and Orientin strengthened the cell structures thus reinforcing protection against oxygen-based damage and radiation (Mendez-Vilas, 2013). Furthermore, Basil hinders the growth of unwanted growth of bacteria when selectively applied. This resistance to bacterial growth or multiplication is credited to the effects of volatile oils that contain multiple elements including; cineole, estragole, linalool, eugenol, myrcene, limonene, and sabinene.” The above excerpt is another example of faulty arguments. It falls under formal fallacy under the appeal to authority. In this type, a person resort to establishing an argument, in support of something, simply because there is a high likelihood of the given situation or something becoming true (Hengel, 2012). For example, in the above excerpt, the given individual states that since it strengthens the white blood cells, chances are high that there will be the occurrence of white blood cells reinforcements. The given argument is deceptive in nature.

4) Safety and Caution: “The second chemical associated with the plant is estragole that is capable of causing tumors in the mice liver. Therefore, if mice suffer from the tumors, human beings are no exception. Animal metabolism is the same and despite slight adaptive variations, most biological reactions are bound to yield the same results upon being exposed to a certain stimuli or chemical element.” The above arguments under safety and caution are also an example of faulty arguments. It takes the form of an informal type of fallacy under unwarranted assumption. In this type, a person opts to come into a conclusion on a certain argument, in a basis of false assumptions. For example, estragole is a chemical that is having the capability of causing tumors in the liver of a mouse. Hence, since mice and humans are both animals, chances are high that human beings too can develop the given tumor. The whole argument is presented not only as being deceptive, but it majorly takes the argument of unwarranted assumptions.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction to Faulty Arguments in the Context of Basil

Faulty arguments, often termed fallacies, represent flawed reasoning patterns that can mislead or deceive despite seeming to have logical validity. These fallacies are prevalent in various contexts, including discussions around natural products such as basil, where misconceptions or overgeneralizations can easily occur. Understanding the nature of these fallacies and how they manifest in arguments about basil is essential for critical evaluation of claims in herbal sciences and alternative medicine. This paper explores several examples of faulty arguments related to basil, analyzing their structure, fallacy type, and impact on the credibility of the claims involved.

Examples of Faulty Arguments from Basil-Related Claims

Anecdotal Fallacy in Culinary Uses of Basil

The first example involves the common assertion that basil provides an excellent aroma, especially in pesto, and is universally experimented upon in various cultures. This argument exemplifies the anecdotal fallacy, which relies on personal experience or isolated examples rather than systematic evidence. The claim that basil "provides excellent aroma" is based on subjective sensory perceptions without scientific validation, making it an invalid generalization. Reliance on anecdotal evidence in health or culinary claims often leads to misconceptions when not supported by empirical data.

Deceptive Presentation of Herbal Use in Headache Relief

The second example discusses the use of dried basil leaves in facial steaming to alleviate headaches and promote relaxation. The argument claims that inhaling steam from basil leaves can reduce headaches within 5-10 minutes. This presents a fallacious cause-and-effect relationship without rigorous scientific backing. The assertion that basil inhalation relieves stress and headaches is a post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy, assuming a causal connection based solely on temporal association. Moreover, suggesting that inhaling basil steam can effectively control headaches is a form of informal fallacy, demonstrating a deceptive presentation of unverified claims.

Appeal to Authority in Cellular Studies of Basil Extracts

The third example cites scientific studies indicating that basil compounds strengthen white blood cells and inhibit bacterial growth. The argument uses the authority of scientific research to support health-related claims. However, it commits the appeal to authority fallacy when the conclusion extends beyond the evidence, implying that strengthening white blood cells or inhibiting bacteria directly translates to significant health benefits without considering further clinical validation. This fallacy occurs when authority or existing studies are used improperly to endorse specific health outcomes unsupported by comprehensive evidence.

Unwarranted Assumption in Safety and Toxicity Claims

The final example involves the assumption that because estragole causes tumors in mice, humans are equally at risk. This is a classic unwarranted assumption fallacy, which involves applying animal data directly to humans without sufficient justification. While animal studies provide valuable insights, extrapolating these results directly to humans ignores biological differences and may lead to false conclusions. Such reasoning can unnecessarily alarm consumers or restrict beneficial uses of basil based on incomplete evidence.

Analysis and Impact of Faulty Arguments

Faulty arguments about basil often stem from a mix of cognitive biases, lack of scientific literacy, and attempts to persuade through emotional or authority-based appeals. These fallacies distort the scientific understanding of basil's properties and effects, leading to misconceptions and potentially harmful decisions by consumers and practitioners. For example, the reliance on anecdotal evidence undermines empirical validation, while fallacious causal claims misrepresent the herb's efficacy. The improper extrapolation from animal studies to humans can impede the responsible use of herbal remedies by overestimating risk or benefits.

Conclusion

Critical evaluation of claims about basil underscores the importance of identifying fallacious reasoning to promote accurate scientific literacy. Recognizing common fallacies such as anecdotal reasoning, false cause, appeal to authority, and unwarranted assumptions enables consumers and health professionals to distinguish between evidence-based information and misleading assertions. As interest in herbal medicine continues to grow, ensuring that arguments are logically sound and scientifically validated is vital to safeguard public health and advance evidence-based herbal practices.

References

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