No feigning surprise

Re:No feigning surprise by maxerickson on Saturday April 29, 2017 @05:42PM (#14228925)

"The principle extends beyond physics. Have you ever caught yourself saying something like, "I just don't understand how a PhD physicist can believe in astrology?" Well, if you literally don't understand, this indicates a problem with your model of human psychology. Perhaps you are indignant - you wish to express strong moral disapproval. But if you literally don't understand, then your indignation is stopping you from coming to terms with reality. It shouldn't be hard to imagine how a PhD physicist ends up believing in astrology. People compartmentalize, enough said."

He seems not to understand that people don't always speak literally.

I mean, I bet he does understand that, but he is feigning the misunderstanding because it is convenient to the point he is making.

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Re:No feigning surprise by consz on Saturday April 29, 2017 @05:50PM (#14228970)

It seems like he is describing the literal interpretation as the exceptional case (as opposed to showing indignation, using that phrase as an insult, etc.).

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Re:No feigning surprise by maxerickson on Saturday April 29, 2017 @05:58PM (#14229001)

That's sort of my point. He makes up a situation that is convenient for his essay, a situation that basically doesn't ever happen.

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Re:No feigning surprise by consz on Sunday April 30, 2017 @11:45AM (#14232062)

Sure, but that's a side point -- the main focus is one the actual cases (like using it as indignation, for instance). A bad or non-realistic anecdote doesn't affect the main point of the essay in any way.

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