Cherry picking
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− | [[Image:Cherry_picking_med.jpg|thumb|right]] | + | [[Image:Cherry_picking_med.jpg|thumb|right|Picking a cherry.]] |
+ | [[Cherry picking]], or "counting the hits and forgetting the misses," refers to the practice of choosing quotes and research which supports ones views while ignoring credible quotes and research, in the same branch of study, which undermines or contradicts ones views. | ||
− | + | ==Examples== | |
− | + | ||
− | == | + | |
A [[Christian]] pacifist might quote the [[sermon on the mount]]: | A [[Christian]] pacifist might quote the [[sermon on the mount]]: | ||
+ | {{Quote-source|But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.|{{bible|Matthew 5:39}}}} | ||
+ | while ignoring the Christian marines' favorite bible quote: | ||
+ | {{Quote-source|Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.|{{bible|Matthew 10:34}}}} | ||
− | {{Quote-source| | + | Christians opposed to gay rights often cite [[Leviticus]] to support their views: |
+ | {{Quote-source|Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.|{{bible|Leviticus 18:22}}}} | ||
+ | while ignoring many laws in Leviticus and elsewhere in the [[Old Testament]] that condemn | ||
+ | things like eating shellfish or require animal [[sacrifice]] ("[[But that's the Old Testament]]"). | ||
− | + | ==See also== | |
+ | *[[Cafeteria Christian]] | ||
+ | *[[Quote mining]] | ||
− | {{ | + | {{Logical fallacies}} |
[[Category:Logical fallacies]] | [[Category:Logical fallacies]] |
Revision as of 08:18, 19 December 2009
Cherry picking, or "counting the hits and forgetting the misses," refers to the practice of choosing quotes and research which supports ones views while ignoring credible quotes and research, in the same branch of study, which undermines or contradicts ones views.
Examples
A Christian pacifist might quote the sermon on the mount:
"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."
while ignoring the Christian marines' favorite bible quote:
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."
Christians opposed to gay rights often cite Leviticus to support their views:
"Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."
while ignoring many laws in Leviticus and elsewhere in the Old Testament that condemn things like eating shellfish or require animal sacrifice ("But that's the Old Testament").
See also