One of the downsides of letting people know where I am in my career has been that it opens me up to illogical attacks. Namely, I have often had people point to my status as a student in order to discredit my positions. For instance, I have been told that my position that the process of development is not the same as the subjective concept of humanity comes from my unfinished education. If only I was a graduate, I would know better. (Ironically, one of the people making this claim had no degree in biology.) But now I am in a position where all I have is a single outstanding math course (to be taken not too far down the road). I have completed every core biology course plus a swath of biology electives. I’ve looked at development from an anatomical perspective. I’ve looked at it from a cellular perspective. I’ve looked at it from a genetic perspective. Yet, my position is exactly the same. Not a bit different.
It’s almost like demanding one be an authority in a subject in order to have a valid opinion on a particular point is a logical fallacy.
Filed under: Misc | Tagged: Logical fallacy, Thought of the day |
For the Sake of Science 
Yes, but you haven’t graduated yet, so it makes sense that your opinions haven’t changed. Once you get the degree, you’ll see the light.
I certainly remember getting my undergraduate degree. Four years of thinking I knew everything, then I walked across the stage, and *blam*, I realized I’d been wrong for the last four years, and suddenly realized what an idiot I was.
Your opinions are rubbish because of your doubtless substandard burgers.
Charcoal, the only way to cook.