The Witch Hunt as a Structure of Argumentation
نویسنده
چکیده
the concept of a witch hunt is frequently invoked, in recent times, to describe a kind of procedure for deciding the guilt of a person against whom an accusation has been made. But what exactly is a witch hunt? In this paper, ten conditions are formulated as a cluster of properties characterizing the witch hunt as a framework in which arguments are used: (1) pressure of social forces, (2) stigmatization, (3) climate of fear, (4) resemblance to a fair trial, (5) use of simulated evidence, (6) simulated expert testimony, (7) nonfalsifiability characteristic of evidence, (8) reversal of polarity, (9) non-openness, and (10) use of the loaded question technique. The witch hunt, as characterized by these criteria, is shown to function as a negative normative structure for evaluating argumentation used in particular cases.
منابع مشابه
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Associated with True Vocal Cord Palsy- A Case Report
Introduction: Varicella-zoster virus may cause an infectious disease called Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The related symptoms include facial nerve palsy (FNP), otalgia, the vesicular eruptions of the auricle and external auditory canal, less common ocular movement disorder, facial hypoesthesia, myofascial pain, vestibular symptoms, hearing loss, dysphasia, vocal cord paralysis, as well as tongue paral...
متن کاملHunt for the Collapse of Semantics in Infinite Abstract Argumentation Frameworks
In this work we discuss examples of infinite abstract argumentation frameworks (AFs). Our focus is mainly on existence of extensions of semantics such as semi-stable and stage semantics, as opposed to the collapse where some argumentation frameworks prevent any extension. We visit known examples from the literature and present novel variants. Finally, we also give insights into extension existe...
متن کاملWomen as easy scapegoats: witchcraft accusations and women as targets in tea plantations of India.
This article revisits a much-debated question: Why are women popular targets during witch hunts? By using in-depth interviews this article provides an answer. Women are easy targets or scapegoats for two reasons. First, it is widely believed in the community that was studied that witches do, in fact, exist, and the images of witches are always female. Second, tribal women hold lower positions t...
متن کاملDevelopmental Stages of Third Molars in 16- to 22-year-old Patients Referred to a Clinic in Rafsanjan, Iran using Demirjian and Modified Gleiser and Hunt Methods
Introdouction: Age estimation is an important issue in forensics, particularly for treatment planning and determining patients’ rights. Radiographic evaluation of the third molar developmental stage is a significant criterion for age estimation. The pattern of tooth development is largely heritable and varies from race to race. The objective of this study was to radiographically examine and com...
متن کامل