Your brain doesn’t always think rationally. Sometimes, it makes mistakes called logical fallacies, aka, thinking errors. One of the most common logical fallacies in the health industry is the straw man.
You’ve almost certainly encountered the straw man argument before. You may have made it yourself. The straw man argument is a common diversion people use to discredit your ideas, especially when they’re defending a position that lacks evidence.
Using a straw man argument makes you look silly.
In this podcast, you’ll learn how to identify and defeat a straw man argument. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to avoid making one yourself.
Death to Straw Men (Arguments)
0:25 – A quick example of the straw man fallacy: “fructose makes you fat and sick.”
2:09 – What is a straw man fallacy?
3:25 – How to spot the three kinds of straw man arguments.
3:55 – How to avoid making, or being fooled by, the straw man argument.
Click the Player to Listen:
Show Notes
Thinking Better, Part 1: The False Dichotomy
Thinking Better, Part 2: Confirmation Bias
Thinking Better, Part 3: Non Causa Pro Causa
Thinking Better, Part 4: The Straw Man
Thinking Better, Part 5: The Ad Hominem
Other Listening Options
Click here to download the mp3 | 7.1 MB | 7:31
Click here to subscribe via iTunes
Click here for the RSS feed (non iTunes)
Click here to listen to past episodes
People on the Show
Want to be more awesome? Sign up for the Imprüvism Email Newsletter to get free updates from the blog including articles, podcasts, and more.
Disclosures: James Krieger is a member of the Imprüvism Research Team, but he was chosen because of his excellent research abilities, not as a favor. In addition to his free articles, James also offers a paid weekly series of articles on weight loss and health that we endorse for no financial incentive.
References
1. Silbernagel G, Machann J, Unmuth S, et al. Effects of 4-week very-high-fructose/glucose diets on insulin sensitivity, visceral fat and intrahepatic lipids: an exploratory trial. Br. J. Nutr. 2011;106(1):79–86. doi:10.1017/S000711451000574X. Abstract: http://pmid.us/21396140 | Full Text: http://goo.gl/UaNSr
2. Stanhope KL, Schwarz JM, Keim NL, et al. Consuming fructose-sweetened, not glucose-sweetened, beverages increases visceral adiposity and lipids and decreases insulin sensitivity in overweight/obese humans. J Clin Invest. 2009;119(5):1322–1334. doi:10.1172/JCI37385. Abstract: http://pmid.us/19381015 | Full Text: http://goo.gl/9CO99
3. Teff KL, Elliott SS, Tschop M, et al. Dietary fructose reduces circulating insulin and leptin, attenuates postprandial suppression of ghrelin, and increases triglycerides in women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89(6):2963–2972. Abstract: http://pmid.us/15181085 | Full Text: http://goo.gl/kbFVj
4. White JS. Straight talk about high-fructose corn syrup: what it is and what it ain’t. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;88(6):1716S–1721S. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2008.25825B. Abstract: http://pmid.us/19064536 | Full Text: http://goo.gl/YBVOg
5. Guthrie JF, Morton JF. Food sources of added sweeteners in the diets of Americans. J Am Diet Assoc. 2000;100(1):43–51– quiz 49–50. doi:10.1016/S0002-8223(00)00018-3. Abstract: http://pmis.us/10646004 | Full Text:
6. Fulgoni V3. High-fructose corn syrup: everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;88(6):1715S. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2008.25825A. Abstract: http://pmid.us/19064535 | Full Text: http://goo.gl/R1lYj
7. Forshee RA, Storey ML, Allison DB, et al. A critical examination of the evidence relating high fructose corn syrup and weight gain. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2007;47(6):561–582. doi:10.1080/10408390600846457. Abstract: http://pmid.us/17653981 | Full Text: http://goo.gl/eE32S
