The blurbs report all sorts of arguments both pro and con on the reproductive health debate. I am reviewing my first course in logic ( I slept through it as a freshie and got a 3.0!) If I am wrong, please correct me. What I noted in the anti side is both the bluntness and subtleness of the fallacies.
Contraception is abortion – package deal fallacy. The premise is independent of the conclusion even if tradition “says so” Also appeal to authority (if you abandon your critical thinking faculties)
Contraception leads to abortion – appeal to probability. Because something could happen, it doesn’t mean it will happen. Also slippery slope if the argument is extended to broken marriages, infanticide etc.
The RH Bill will cause a tax rate increase – Ignoratio elenchi which is a special form of the red herring. The premise of this argument is irrelevant even when said by a Catholic bishop and it distracts us from the original premise!
If you answer no to any of the questions then you are not for the RH bill (CFC-FFL ad)- This is an example of the black and white dilemma! . This is often used by totalitarian regimes.
If we pass the RH bill, we lose OFW remittances! - Ignoratio elenchi? I think.
Three-fourths of Filipino taxpayers are Catholic. It is thus unfair for the RH bill to appropriate and use their money to purchase and coercively promote and administer these artificial contraceptives which is against their conscience (Atty Jose Sison in the Philippine Star, 6 October 2008) – Affirming the consequent. The assumption is that Catholics will have a single conscience on the matter. This is definitely false.
Foremost of these issues is the bill’s promotion of the use of artificial contraceptives. Scientific tests and actual experience in countries allowing their use have shown that some of these contraceptives ( IUD, Depo provera. Norplant, RHU 486, emergency morning after pills) directly cause abortion. (Atty Jose Sison in the Philippine Star, 6 October 2008) – unwarranted contrast It is arguable that the following contraceptives that Atty Sison mentioned are abortifacients. But since this hasn’t been conclusively proven, contrasting these with other contraceptives (not mentioned but alluded in his opinion piece) whose properties are well established, does not make all contraceptives abortifacient.
The RH bill will contribute to a demographic winter. – Unstated major premise. This is indeed possible under certain conditions. Now whether these conditions apply to the present context, is the premise that is unstated.
And of course this
More solons against RH bill - bandwagon fallacy It doesn’t mean if many are against it, the merits of the bill is bad.
Next, I’ll look at those from the pro side.
Popularity: 4% [?]
how about reviewing your ethics more than just logic which deals merely with premises…
THE END DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS!
Missy
The proper application of ethics lies in the proper application of reason. Thus your statement that THE END DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS is at best propaganda. What should justify the ends is reason.
Let me give you how the pro argument strategy should be stated. The Catholic Church’s argument that the RH bill is immoral is very much defensible in grounds of morality. Thus Catholic arguments against the RH bill should focus on the weaknesses of moral and cognitive relativism. There are both theological and philosophical ways of demolishing the arguments of the RH bill’s supporters. I will leave that to you. However Catholics who think they are apologists by muddling the argument with faulty thinking by citing half-truths do much damage to the Catholic position. These Catholic apologists fall into the same trap of relativism.
This does no credit to the Catholicism I live for. This is the Catholicism of the Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman. Since Newman is a Saint and if he does come down from Heaven, Newman wouldn’t tolerate the kind of arguments I have shown as examples in my post.
BTW if you want to find out why Newman won’t tolerate sloppy thinking, read his Apologia.
I think, der s no bad in RH bill bcoz it aims only educating people on how 2 become rsponsible in der family by having a family planning ussing contraceptives and 2 da young men and women in grade shools der s sex education dat will cater them 4 them 2 become aware of what will be da fruit of having entercourse and so that they may also know the resposibility of having a family.
“If we pass the RH bill, we lose OFW remittances!”
Isn’t this a non-sequitur?
regarding:
” IUD, Depo provera. Norplant, RHU 486, emergency morning after pills) directly cause abortion. (Atty Jose Sison in the Philippine Star, 6 October 2008) – unwarranted contrast It is arguable that the following contraceptives that Atty Sison mentioned are abortifacients. But since this hasn’t been conclusively proven,…”
in what sense has it not been proven as abortifacient? Why are these not abortifacient? What are the arguments? any links to studies and abstracts, and such? thanks!
Unfortunately, Pinoys have made a way of life out of sloppy thinking.
This has been exhibited in all its glory by the venerable Clarence Henderson relating his first foray into the Twilight Zone of Pinoy discussion.
(Click here to view the full article)
An “admired Filipino economist, based in New York” (note I am using here our world-renovwned fallacy of appeal to colonial mentality ;) ) also had the following to say about the “national debate” (full article here):
Which interestingly enough echoes certain peoples’ approaches to thinking. ;)
GabbyD
The links can be easily found in the WWW. There is some evidence to show that some of the methods mentioned are abortifacient. But several definitions are needed. You have to define what pregnancy and contraception are before you can evaluate the medical claims of these methods.
Missingpoints
It can be a non sequitur if I am right.
You wrote:
“Let me give you how the pro argument strategy should be stated. The Catholic Church’s argument that the RH bill is immoral is very much defensible in grounds of morality. Thus Catholic arguments against the RH bill should focus on the weaknesses of moral and cognitive relativism. There are both theological and philosophical ways of demolishing the arguments of the RH bill’s supporters. I will leave that to you. However Catholics who think they are apologists by muddling the argument with faulty thinking by citing half-truths do much damage to the Catholic position. These Catholic apologists fall into the same trap of relativism.
This does no credit to the Catholicism I live for. This is the Catholicism of the Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman. Since Newman is a Saint and if he does come down from Heaven, Newman wouldn’t tolerate the kind of arguments I have shown as examples in my post.”
In my former vocation as lecturer at the University of Asia and the Pacific (where I taught for a decade or so), I grew to appreciate the intellectual rigor, wit, and warmth of Newman, if only through his book The Idea of a University. The venerable Cardinal would have been the first to deplore, albeit in kilometric, deliberately constructed prose, the sloppy thinking which characterizes some of the arguments against the RH bill.
Keep on blogging. You’re doing a lot to elevate the level of debate on this important issue, while other bloggers such as myself try to pass off references to estimating the airspeed of unladen swallows as coherent arguments for reconsidering the bill. More power!
Dagdag kwento lang po. Heto po ang masasamabi ng mga maralitang tao.
Bakit Mahalaga sa Amin ang Reproductive Health?
Mga Kwentong Buhay ng mga Ordinaryong Taong Tumuntong sa Kongreso
Sa mga nagdaang talakayan ng mga mambabatas kaugnay sa Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood and Population Management Bill o HB 5043, maraming mga ordinaryong kasapi ng komunidad ang masugid na sumubaybay dito. Narito ang mga salaysay ng ilan sa kanila—kababaihan at kalalakihan ng Malabon, kasama ang kanilang buong pamilya—kung bakit mahalaga sa kanila ang reproductive health.
Si Eliza Patricio ay may 8 anak at 2 apo. Paglalagay ng yelo sa isda sa fish port ng Navotas ang trabaho ng asawa niya. Dahil sa kagustuhang matigil na ang kanyang pagbubuntis, ninais ni Eliza na magpatali (Bilateral Tubal Ligation). Nahirapan siya na kumbinsihin at papirmahin ang asawa sa consent form para magawa na ang operasyon. Iba’t ibang pamamaraan na ang kanyang ginawa para makumbinsi ang asawa na pumirma.
* * *
Isa si Rosela Mahinay sa masigasig na sumama sa bawat lakad sa Kongreso kahit na may inaasikaso pa siyang anak na may problema sa pag-iisip. Dama ni Rosela ang hirap sa pagbubuntis at panganganak. Nakikita niya rin sa kanilang komunidad ang iba’t ibang klase ng kumplikasyon na nararanasan ng mga babae bunga ng hindi planadong pagbubuntis.
* * *
Sina Lola Maria Gabrinao, Lola Leonisa Pacala at Lola Adoracion Marin ang tinaguriang “Tres Marias” na tagasuporta sa RH Bill. Si Lola Maria ay may 8 anak at 20 apo. Madalas, si Lola Maria ang nag-aalaga ng maliliit na apo niya sa panahon na nagtatrabaho ang kanyang mga anak. Si Lola Leonisa naman ay 76 anyos, 9 ang anak at may 32 apo. Tulad ni Lola Maria, ramdam din niya ang hirap ng buhay sa pagpapalaki ng kanyang mga anak at apo. Si Lola Adoracion ay 64 anyos na, 3 ang anak at 3 ang apo. Maliit ang bilang ng pamilya ni Lola Adoracion. Palaging ipinaiintindi ni Lola sa kanyang mga apo ang kahalagahan ng pagpaplano ng pamilya upang mas maayos at maunlad ang takbo ng buhay. Sila Lola Maria, Lola Leonisa at Lola Adoracion ay matapang na naninindigan sa pagsuporta sa pagsasabatas ng RH Bill. Madalas nilang sabihin na hindi lang pangkabataan ang usaping ito. Maging silang mga may-edad na ay nagpapahalaga sa kalusugang pangreproduktibo dahil tulad nila, may pangangailangan din sila sa usaping ito.
* * *
Mahalagang maipaglaban ng kababaihan ang kanilang mga karapatan lalo na sa usapin ng katawan. Ito ang katwiran ni Shirley Quitlong, 52 taong gulang, may 5 anak at 5 apo. Sa kabila ng tindi ng pangangailangang mabuhay, pansamantalang nagsasara ng tindahan ng ulam si Shirley upang isigaw at ipaglaban ang kaniyang karapatan kaugnay sa kalusugang pangreproduktibo.
* * *
Ang buong pamilya nina Oscar at Merlita Ala ay laging sumasama sa Kongreso sa pagsubaybay at pagsuporta sa panukalang batas kaugnay sa Reproductive Health. Para sa kanila, usapin ito ng buong pamilya na kailangang pagtuunan ng pansin at itaguyod. Mahalaga na napag-uusapan ang mga ganitong usapin sa loob ng kanilang tahanan. Naniniwala sila na ang mga magulang ang pangunahing tao na dapat na nagsisimula sa pagtalakay ng mga ito. Ngunit, napakahalaga sa kanila na may mga institusyong sumusuporta sa tama at naaayon sa edad na pagtalakay sa usaping pangreproduktibo ng kanilang mga anak.
Mothers Organization for Total Health, Education, Research and Services (MOTHERS)
Kaunlaran, Kapayapaan at Katarungan para sa Kabataan (3K)
Lot 3, Block 13, Phase 2, Paradise Village
Letre, Tonsuya, Malabon City
Tel. No.: 288-79-81
Heto naman po ang dinaranas namin sa loob ng kongreso.
Isang Linggo ng Determinasyon sa Kabila ng Diskriminasyon sa Kongreso
Mga Karanasan at Kwento ng Kababaihan at Kalalakihan ng Maralitang Komunidad
Ang sumusunod ay mga salaysay mula sa Apelo Women’s Health Association (AWHA) at Boses ng Kabataang Pilipino (BKP) batay sa pitong araw nilang pagsubaybay sa deliberasyong plenaryo ng Kamara de Representante tungkol sa Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood and Population Management o HB 5043. Ang AWHA at BKP ay mga samahan ng kababaihan at Kabataan sa Pasay City na sumusuporta sa reproductive health.
AKO SI GINA Conde, bilang kinatawan ng samahan, naobserbahan ko ang pagkakaroon ng diskriminasyon ng mga kawani (guard) ng HOR. Kapag ang pumapasok ay mga madre, mga worker ng simbahan, guro kasama ang kanilang mga estudyante, walang masyadong tanong at madali silang nakakapasok kahit pa huli silang dumating.
Kahit sa paggawa ng ingay, sa pagpapakita ng emosyon, sa pagpalakpak, hindi sila sinasaway ng mga bantay. Kapag kagalang-galang ang kasuotan, makikita mo ang respetong pagtrato sa kanila na hindi namin naranasan minsan man.
Isang halimbawa ang pangyayari noong September 17 sa 2nd floor North Wing Gallery na hindi ko malilimutan. May dalawang hilera ng upuan sa unahan ang nabakante dahil sa pag-alis ng mga estudyante. Pinalipat ng guard ang mga tao. Nang makalipat na ang mga tao biglang bumalik ang mga umalis kung kaya’t nagkaroon ng konting ingay o bulungan. Nagulat na lang kami nang biglang sumigaw ang guard at pinatatahimik kami na parang ang sinasaway ay mga batang paslit. Sa pagsigaw na iyon, biglang nagkaroon ng katahimikan subalit patuloy sa pasigaw na pagsasalita ang guard at kung anu-ano ang sinasabi. Hindi ako nakatiis at sinabihan ko siya na Kuya, ‘wag naman ganyan ang pagsaway. Hindi kami mga batang paslit. Tao kami na dapat din namang igalang. Sa ginawa kong yun, napagsabihan pa ako na, “Tatandaan ko ang pagmumukha mo!” Grabe! Nagtatrabaho lang sila sa loob ng Kongreso, ‘kala mo kung sino na.
* * *
ANG MAG-ASAWANG FEBRY Fabella, 22 taong gulang at Joey Galicia, 23 taong gulang na may isang anak ay kasama sa mga naniniwala na malaking tulong sa kanila ang Reproductive Health Bill. Dahil sa mithiing maipasa ang bill, ang nag-iisa nilang anak na tatlong taong gulang ay iniwan sa kapitbahay upang pumunta sa Kongreso. Nalulungkot silang mag-asawa at nagagalit sa guard na nagtanong sa kanila kung magkano ang bayad sa kanila. Sinagot ni Joey ang guard na, “Manong, ang pagpunta po namin dito ay kusang-loob at walang kapalit kahit na singko sentimos. Katunayan, ako po ay may trabaho. Nagpaalam ako sa amo ko na hindi muna papasok sapagkat nais kung ipakita ang suporta sa Reproductive Health Bill. Kailangan namin ito para mapagplanuhan nang maayos ang aming kinabukasan at para ito sa misis ko.”
* * *
SI ALING LINDA Unlayao, 67 taong gulang, residente ng Apelo Cruz, Pasay at kasapi ng AWHA, ay kabilang sa pumunta at nagpakita ng suporta sa RH bill. Sabi niya sa amin, “Sa 7 araw na pagpunta ko sa Kongreso ay labis ang ginaw na naramdaman ko sa loob. Maya-maya akong umiihi. May mga pagkakataon na nahihirapan ako sa pag-akyat sa hagdan pero oki lang! Pag naipasa ang panukala, ito ang magandang pamana ko sa aking mga anak at apo.”
* * *
MAY MGA KASAMA rin kaming mga estudyante. Isa na si Carmela Verso, edad 16, 4th year high school. Sabi niya sa nanay niya, “Ma, paano naman maipapasa ang bawat bill? Hindi naman nakikinig ang mga kongresista, lakad sila nang lakad at nagdadaldalan.
* * *
GANON DIN ANG obserbasyon ng asawa kong si Luis Conde sa dalawang beses niyang pakikinig sa RH hearing. Sabi niya hindi magandang halimbawa ang ginagawa ng mga kongresista. May mga kabataan at estudyante pa namang pumupunta at nag-oobserba rito. Late silang dadating at uuwi agad kahit hindi pa tapos ang session. May palakad-lakad, lalabas at magdadaldalan. Pinagsasabihan ang mga tao na ‘wag maingay pero ang mga kongresista ang malalakas ang boses. Paano mapag-uusapan nang maayos ang batas kung ganyan ang kanilang gagawin? Tulad noong September 30, humirit na naman ng rollcall ang mga anti-RH bill. Kung hindi magko-korum, suspended na naman ang pagdinig. Sayang ang ipinasusweldo sa kanila.
* * *
Ang mga kwentong ito ay ilan lamang sa mga karanasan ng mga nagsipagpunta sa Kongreso. Kung magagawa lamang naming kausapin ang lahat ng aming mga kasama, malamang hindi lang ito ang maisusulat na mga karanasan.
Kami sa AWHA at BKP ay nananawagan na bigyang pansin ang mga tunay na karanasan naming mamamayan sa pitong araw na pabalik-balik sa Kongreso upang dinggin ang deliberasyon ng Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood and Population Management o HB 5043. Huwag sanang ipagwalang bahala ang obserbasyon ng kababaihan, kabataan at maging ng kalalakihan sa patakarang nagaganap sa loob ng Kongreso.
Apelo Women’s Health Association (AWHA)
Boses ng Kabataang Pilipino (BKP)
704 -A52 Apelo Cruz St.
Brgy. 157 Zone 16, Pasay City
Tel.no. 853-74-30
“I still believe on the natural method of family planning and all those artificial methods would not be able to stem the growing population in the country,”
we are calling to plz don’t support RH bill…
Belief is OK but remember that the scientific evidence suggests that the artificial ways of contraception have a bigger success rate.
One things has been lost in the RH debate and I will blog about that later. Education is the best contraceptive! If people are in school for longer, the chances that they will have many kids are smaller.
Blackshama (at 4:36pm), i agree 100% with you last sentence. I read somewhere that, for women, the best contraceptive would be to teach them Calculus (as well as other Math subjects).
Cvj
Don’t be too sexist! :) Actually statistics 101 is a better contraceptive!
Blackshama, sorry but i don’t see the sexist aspect of my remark (at 4:44 pm). What i had in mind was the effect of education on women’s fertility, not education on birth control per se (although that’s necessary), but general educational attainment (as measured by years of schooling).
More here.
…which of course is your original point as well (at 4:36 pm).
ad misericordiam? no, wait, i didn’t see an argument presented here.
Jester, I have to agree with you. There seems to be no argument in nheil ylanz’s post. Those who advocate a position against the RH bill have to formulate, at the very least, an argument to validate their assertions.
Is there statistical evidence to support the use of natural family planning in conjunction with educational reforms as a way of addressing quality of life issues? It seems that a frequently mentioned, and valid concern among proponents of the RH bill revolves around the quality of life of the less fortunate.