On logic:

A brief review (inspired by something written by evil_genius). Logic, and the scientific method, do not include:

* Argument from authority: “The big honcho said so, so it’s true and …”
* Argument from emotion: “mom, dad, apple pie, and my idea, so it’s true and … ” OR “you get all upset when we talk about my ideas, therefore your ideas are crap, therefore mine are true …”.
* Argument by caricature: “the straw man”: “your idea can be sketched out like this, right? So, my sketch has these flaws … so your idea must have those flaws as well … ”
* Argument by changing the subject: “Hey! Look! Civil rights! So anyway, what I said was true and …”
* Argument by false analogy: “Okay, my idea is sort of like a blimp, right? Blimps float because they’re lighter than air, by volume. Therefore, my idea is lighter than air, by volume!”

These are fine rhetorical and argumentative techniques, but they don’t prove anything.

Thank you.