Poisoning the Well Logical Fallacy Examples

Poisoning the well is a logical fallacy (a type of ad hominem argument) in which a person attempts to place an opponent in a position from which he or she is unable to reply. Examples and Observations Another technique by which the personality of a speaker is sometimes discredited is called poisoning the well. An enemy, when he poisons a well, ruins the water; no matter how good or how pure the water was, it is now tainted and hence unusable. When an opponent uses this technique, he casts such aspersions on a person that the person cannot possibly recover and defend himself without making matters much worse. CITY COUNCILMAN: The Mayors a very good talker. Yes, talk he can do . . . and do very well. But when it comes time for action, thats a different matter. How can the mayor respond? If he remains silent, he runs the risk of appearing to accept the councilmans criticisms. But if he stands up and defends himself, then he is talking; and the more he talks, the more he appears to be confirming the accusations. The well has been poisoned, and the mayor is in a difficult position. (Robert J. Gula, Nonsense. Axios, 2007) The recent attacks by Republican leaders and their ideological fellow-travelers on the effort to reform the health-care system have been so misleading, so disingenuous, that they could only spring from a cynical effort to gain partisan political advantage. By poisoning the political well, theyve given up any pretense of being the loyal opposition. Theyve become political terrorists, willing to say or do anything to prevent the country from reaching a consensus on one of its most serious domestic problems. (Steven Pearlstein, Republicans Propagating Falsehoods in Attacks on Health-Care Reform. The Washington Post, Aug. 7, 2009) The Rat Example I leaped to my feet, bellowing like a bull. Will you or will you not go steady with me? I will not, she replied. Why not? I demanded. Because this afternoon I promised Petey Bellows that I would go steady with him. I reeled back, overcome with the infamy of it. After he promised, after he made a deal, after he shook my hand! The rat! I shrieked, kicking up great chunks of turf. You can’t go with him, Polly. He’s a liar. He’s a cheat. He’s a rat. Poisoning the Well, said Polly, and stop shouting. I think shouting must be a fallacy too. (Max Shulman, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. Doubleday, 1951)

Essay on Love and Metaphysical Poetry - 1635 Words

Ingenious concepts, sticking conceits, heated arguments, sublime paradoxes and far†fetched imagery are just a few features of Metaphysical poetry. Poetry that enables its audience to take a journey with the poet throughout life’s battles, luxuries and treasures, is simply a phenomenon. Today, we are very lucky to have the luxury of many metaphysical poems; however, today we will be exploring just two. These being A Valediction Forbidding Mourning and To His Coy Mistress. Both poems possess different themes and features that will be compared and contrasted throughout, however, are connected through the discourse of love. The four letter word with so much meaning, but what really is love? Can a definite meaning be placed upon or it, or†¦show more content†¦Due to the central focus on love, the invited reader is most probably those that are in love or have experienced feelings such as these. Those against love and all that comes with it; would remain resista nt readers as the emotions utilised in this poem would be ones that they wouldn’t be able to identify with. The voice that is silenced in the poem is that of the wife. Her opinion on his absence remains somewhat unknown throughout the poem. Although the poem does leave readers with the impression that she needs reassurance that their love will remain strong despite their separation. The entire meaning of A Valediction Forbidding Mourning is based upon emotions. Donne explains to his wife that she shouldn’t grieve his departure, but rather be elated; for the love that they share is greater than any force trying to break them apart. A Valediction Forbidding Mourning consists of nine stanzas each possessing four lines. This structure being quite simple compared to many of Donne’s other poems that feature strange metrical patterns. The language presented in A Valediction is written in rather simple English, but true of all metaphysical poems, is quite descriptive allowing the reader to envisage a number of images throughout. The poem employs many image devices that together define the poem. Donne relies primarily on conceits to convey his message. In the first stanza, Donne compares theShow MoreRelatedJohn Donne1376 Words   |  6 Pagessense founded the metaphysical lyric, which was practiced by scare of writers. As Dowden says, â€Å"We are told that in the decline of the greater poetry of the Elizabethan period, a metaphysical school arose and that John Donne was the founder or the first eminent member of this school.† John Donne set up a new tradition in versification by and large Donne must be regarded as an original poet, â€Å"a poet who gave much more than what he borrowed from his age.† The word â€Å"metaphysical† has been definedRead MoreElements Of Metaphysical Poetry1092 Words   |  5 PagesDuring the 1600s, a group of poets created a type of poetry known as metaphysical poetry. Metaphysical poetry is a type of poetry that is devotional and mystical in content; it incorporates intellect, logic, and argument to demonstrate concepts such as love and death. Metaphysical poems have the elements of metaphors, metaphysical conceits, paradoxes, and analogies. Metaphors and metaphysical conceits, a type of extended metaphor, are used to show a connection between two things that are not similarRead MoreCharacteristics of Metaphysical Poetry876 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is a metaphysical poem? Metaphysical poetry is concerned with the whole experience of man, but the intelligence, learning and seriousness of the poets means that the poetry is about the profound areas of experience especially - about love, romantic and sensual; about man s relationship with God - the eternal perspective, and, to a less extent, about pleasure, learning and art. Metaphysical poems are lyric poems. They are brief but intense meditations, characterized by striking use of witRead MoreMetaphysical Poetry By John Donne1590 Words   |  7 PagesFeras Mohammed Awaga Grade 11 B Metaphysical Poetry According to English language, when metaphysical is divided into two words ‘meta’ is defined as after and physical remains as it is. Thus metaphysical means after the physical. The definition above was according to English language, however according to poetry is†¦. Many poets got involved in metaphysical poetry like: Samuel Johnson who wrote his book which is known as ‘’Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets’’, Henry Vaughan, Andrew Marvel, RichardRead MoreTHE MAIN FEATURES OF THE METAPHYSICAL POETRY ILLUSTRATED BY JOHN DONNE1637 Words   |  7 PagesFEATURES OF THE METAPHYSICAL POETRY ILLUSTRATED BY JOHN DONNE The term metaphysical poetry is used to describe a certain type of 17th century poetry. Metaphysical poetry is concerned with the whole experience of man. It means that the poetry is about showing knowledge and thoughts from different areas of experience, especially about love, romantic and sensual; about mans relationship with God and about pleasure, learning and art. Metaphysical poems are lyricRead MoreMetaphysical Poetry1246 Words   |  5 PagesMetaphysical Poetry: Much More Than Wit The two main views of metaphysical poetry, as composed by poets A.E. Housman and T.S. Eliot, are vastly different. Eliot’s view of metaphysical poetry is a very positive and respectful one. He admires the uniqueness of the metaphysical poets when he describes them as â€Å"reflective poets† as opposed to merely intellectual ones. Eliot says they have the ability to â€Å"feel their thought as immediately as the odor of a rose,† compared to the strictly thought-drivenRead MoreThe Metaphysical And Victorian Concept Of Love Essay1308 Words   |  6 PagesThe Metaphysical and Victorian concept of love is as diverse as it can be particularly comparing the intense love shown in Porphyria s Lover by Robert Browning with the playful love in nature in To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell. Love has multiple definitions and it has so far remained among the most complex subject that require a single particular definition to define its meaning. Plato once said At th e touch of love everyone becomes a poet and that s why may be we have so many diverseRead MoreCritical Appreciation Of T. S. Eliot s The Metaphysical Poets1382 Words   |  6 Pagesof T. S. Eliot’s â€Å"The Metaphysical Poets† T. S. Eliot’s essay â€Å"The Metaphysical Poets† was first published in The Times literary Supplement, 1031 (1921) and reprinted in Homage to John Dryden  (1924) and Selected Essays  (1932). It was published as a review of J.C. Grierson’s Edition of Metaphysical Lyrics and Poems of the 17th  Century.  The essay possesses a high critical value and significance. Eliot begins the essay by praising Grierson’s scholarly edition of Metaphysical lyrics and Poems of theRead MorePoetry: Donne’s Metaphysical Work 1180 Words   |  5 PagesDonne is Innocent As William Wordsworth so rightly said, â€Å"Poetry is the first and last of all knowledge-it is as immortal as the heart of man†. Its themes are the simplest experiences of life: sorrow and joy, love and hate, peace and war. Yet they are equally the boldest formations, the most complex classifications and studies of reason if the poet is able to carry sensation into these poems, forming them into passionate experiences through vivid and moving imagery. For uncertain or inexperiencedRead MoreThe word Wit has multiple definitions, most of which metaphysical poets use in their distinctive1400 Words   |  6 PagesThe word Wit has multiple definitions, most of which metaphysical poets use in their distinctive poetic style. Definitions for wit include: â€Å"the keen perception and cleverly apt expression of those connections between ideas that awaken amusement and pleasure† (Dictionary.com 2014) and â€Å"understanding, intelligence, or sagacity, astuteness† (Dict ionary.com 2014). In this paper I will unpack the main features of metaphysical poetry and explore the relevance of wit and conceit in relation to John Donne’s

Is Singapore a Nation Free Essays

When you think of Singapore, you will think of the myriad of international awards and global benchmark this city-state has achieved within its first 50 years of independence. It is commendable – her success that is. Having attained self-governance in 1959 and subsequently independence in 1965, her economic miracle in the decades to come is deserving of being looked upon as an economic model of success. We will write a custom essay sample on Is Singapore a Nation? or any similar topic only for you Order Now Her emergence came as a shock as she was expelled from Malaysia in 1965 due to clashing political ideologies, and nobody knew what to expect. The emergence of the imperiled Singapore brewed much uncertainty and anxiety in a â€Å"Chinese land in the sea of Malays† environment. Certainly though, Singapore has come so far into being what she is today. As we slowly transit into a new political era and hand over the political reins to fresher and younger batch of Singapore’s fourth-generation leaders, it is worth to stop and reflect. Having gone through 50 years of independence, can it be truly said that Singapore is a nation? Has she become a nation, or is she still in the process of nation-building; a nation-in-progress? This essay will discuss at large with regards to where Singapore stands in this issue. Before proceeding any further, it is crucial to unpack the term nation. Defining the term ‘nation’ Nation has never had a concrete definition owing to its broad and complex nature. Scholars, nonetheless, have attempted to define the term nation for pragmatic purposes. As argued by Dawisha Adeed, nation is a form of identity. That individuals identify with their nations the same way they identify with other forms of collective identity. Rupert Emerson also argued that nation is a socio-cultural concept than a political concept. It is the sense of belonging to a community who share the same heritage, and the same future. It is thus agreeable that nation is essentially a sense of belonging to a country. A sense of pride, and a measure of a person’s loyalty to a country. In the words of Benedict Anderson, nation is â€Å"an imagined political community† because members may not know most of their fellow members, yet â€Å"in the minds of each lives the image of their communion†. In this regard, it is in my interest to highlight the difference between a state and a nation. As brought up earlier, Singapore is not a nation as of yet on the grounds that Singaporeans do not feel as intense a sense of belonging to Singapore. How to cite Is Singapore a Nation?, Papers