I'm not too sure this is a good idea

[Paradox74]

http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-retail-pharmacies-to-come-clean-about-homeopathic-products

It appears to be a bandwagon appeal. Unless I am missing out on something, petitions stating that some theory or political position is useless is, well useless. For an example, that petition of 600 scientists who state that evolution is too improbable. Well, what about the millions of other scientists?

I just want to bring this topic up before any of the woo-supporters point this out...although that might be too late.

 

[KingMerv00]

http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-retail-pharmacies-to-come-clean-about-homeopathic-products

It appears to be a bandwagon appeal. Unless I am missing out on something, petitions stating that some theory or political position is useless is, well useless. For an example, that petition of 600 scientists who state that evolution is too improbable. Well, what about the millions of other scientists?

I just want to bring this topic up before any of the woo-supporters point this out...although that might be too late.

Bandwagon is only a fallacy if it is in the form: "We are right because many people believe as we do."

Saying "A buttload of people disagree with you and we are using our numbers to get a message out to the public, politicians, and advertisers. Be afraid. We may boycott." is perfectly fine.

 

[shandyjan]

Would they have any correlation btween creationist/religious scientists?

 

[blutoski]

Bandwagon is only a fallacy if it is in the form: "We are right because many people believe as we do."

Saying "A buttload of people disagree with you and we are using our numbers to get a message out to the public, politicians, and advertisers. Be afraid. We may boycott." is perfectly fine.

Which is an 'appeal to personal circumstances' - another fallacy. We're not trying to convince phamacists that homeopathy doesn't work with this argument... just that whether it works or not, we can cause them trouble.

This doesn't mean I think petitions are always a bad idea.

But it highlights the disctinction between skepticism as a community engaged in pursuit of truth vs skepticism as an advocacy network engaged in politcal activity.

 

[KingMerv00]

Which is an 'appeal to personal circumstances' - another fallacy. We're not trying to convince phamacists that homeopathy doesn't work with this argument... just that whether it works or not, we can cause them trouble.

It's not a fallacy because they aren't making the argument "homeopathy doesn't work because we can cause you trouble" they are making the argument, "homeopathy doesn't work and we can cause you trouble".

 

[blutoski]

It's not a fallacy because they aren't making the argument "homeopathy doesn't work because we can cause you trouble" they are making the argument, "homeopathy doesn't work and we can cause you trouble".

Let's say I agree with you: it's not an argument about whether homeopathy works or not, but merely a threat.

Then the initiative is not an attempt to educate consumers on this subject, but rather an attempt to protect consumers by threatening the vendors?

Is this the mandate of the JREF?

 

[Emet]

Let's say I agree with you: it's not an argument about whether homeopathy works or not, but merely a threat.

Then the initiative is not an attempt to educate consumers on this subject, but rather an attempt to protect consumers by threatening the vendors?

Is this the mandate of the JREF?

I read the petition letter, and watched Mr. Randi's video. I saw no threat. Am I missing something?

 

[blutoski]

I read the petition letter, and watched Mr. Randi's video. I saw no threat. Am I missing something?

I don't think so, but KingMerv00 indicated that was his interpretation.

For the sake of discussion, I am willing to use his interpretation to pursue the question about whether this was a 'good idea' in the spirit of the thread's title.

Petititions have multiple purposes, and sometimes you just throw one out there to see what happens and its purpose will be entirely inferred by, and vary among, readers.