# Is there a name for this kind of argument (only one thing matters)? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 17, 2014, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560 "2014-02-17T20:27:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/41 "2020-08-13T01:49:43Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > These are pathetically weak arguments. Sorry, I wasn’t aware that we were arguing. I thought you were asking me what I thought. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/42 "2020-08-13T01:53:17Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > You tell us how the existence of the ASPCA prevents us from effectively lowering human suffering and I bet you can connect the dots I wasn’t aware how the existence of the ASPCA prevents us from effectively lowering human suffering. Perhaps you can explain it? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/43 "2020-08-13T02:04:12Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Sorry, I wasn’t aware that we were arguing. I thought you were asking me what I thought. _Making_ an argument in support of a viewpoint is quite obviously a different sense of the word than _having_ an argument. But you know this, so if you no longer want to engage we can let this go. The ethical philosopher Peter Singer is the place to start if you want your views on this to be challenged. He’s a brilliant writer on a whole range of real-world ethical issues, not just animal rights. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/44 "2020-08-13T02:08:56Z")
Sounds like you need to talk this out with the poster named @Slash1972. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/45 "2020-08-13T02:12:25Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > _Making_ an argument in support of a viewpoint is quite obviously a different sense of the word than _having_ an argument. But you know this, so if you no longer want to engage we can let this go. That’s true. But since this is the IMHO forum, I thought you were asking for my opinion. If you want cites and scholarly articles about why we should care about chickens, then I’m sorry I can’t provide any information on that. Because I don’t care about chickens, so I’ve never found the need to look them up. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/46 "2020-08-13T02:16:12Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > But since this is the IMHO forum, I thought you were asking for my opinion. If you want cites and scholarly articles about why we should care about chickens, then I’m sorry I can’t provide any information on that. I didn’t ask you for cites. You made arguments in support of your position. I pointed out that they were weak arguments and explained why. If you’re doubling down with pedantic nonsense about which forum we are in rather than responding to the substance of what I said, I take it you’re done with the discussion. > [@Slash1972](#): > > Because I don’t care about chickens You say this jokingly as though it’s obviously silly to worry about chickens. But it’s really not a virtue to have never thought about or educated yourself about the unnecessary suffering of animals that you consume for food. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/47 "2020-08-13T02:18:46Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > You say this jokingly as though it’s obviously silly to worry about chickens. But it’s really not a virtue to have never thought about or educated yourself about the unnecessary suffering of animals that you consume for food Luckily, I’ve never said it was a virtue. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/48 "2020-08-13T02:19:49Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I’ve never said it was a virtue. Yet you flaunt your ignorance as though it is. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/49 "2020-08-13T02:22:35Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Yet you flaunt your ignorance Do I? Please point out where I’ve flaunted my ignorance. On the one subject I was I ignorant on, I told you, and you provided a link and I read it. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/50 "2020-08-13T02:27:04Z")
If you actually want to _fight_ ignorance and discuss substantive ethical issues surrounding animal welfare, I’m happy to engage. Otherwise, I’m done here. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/51 "2020-08-13T02:29:49Z")
Sure. I’m up for that. What substantive ethical issues surrounding animal welfare are you interested in discussing? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/52 "2020-08-13T04:09:44Z")
People who are cruel to animals tend to be cruel to humans. Being cruel to animals, and being in an environment where that cruelty is encouraged, can desensitize someone towards cruelty towards humans, and children as well (even especially.). This is IMHO, so I’m not looking to go cite for cite proving the argument, just providing the framework where your one highest priority can be affected by something you care as little about as chicken fights. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/53 "2020-08-13T04:27:02Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > People who are cruel to animals tend to be cruel to humans. > > Being cruel to animals, and being in an environment where that cruelty is encouraged, can desensitize someone towards cruelty towards humans, and children as well (even especially.). That’s fair. But there are people who hate the thought of animals tortured, but think nothing of seeing human beings kept in cages. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/54 "2020-08-13T14:46:23Z")
Banning cock fights is less about animal endangerment and more about stopping illegal gambling. Roosters are unpredictable, harder to handicap. Now betting on kinder fighting is where the real money can be made! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![TokenRing](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokenring/32/3559_2.png) [@TokenRing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokenRing)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/55 "2020-08-13T16:08:46Z")
“Whatabout-ism” sort of fits the OP. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/56 "2020-08-13T18:08:03Z")
This. And not just illegal gambling. Illicit large gatherings for bloodsports where people get heated plus large amounts of money on the line leads to all kinds of violence. Want to argue for the legalization of bloodsports? Have at it, though I disagree. But as long as cockfighting is illegal, it’s a good idea to actually, you know, stop illegal cockfights. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/57 "2020-08-15T02:01:06Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > Want to argue for the legalization of bloodsports? Have at it, though I disagree. But as long as cockfighting is illegal, it’s a good idea to actually, you know, stop illegal cockfights. Man, I forgot I was actually in this conversation. But since I am, let’s explore this. Marijuana is illegal, do you think cops should waste resources to stop marijuana possession? ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/58 "2020-08-15T02:39:08Z")
I think if my neighbor is dealing pot, leading to dozens or hundreds of people gathering at a time and fights and other disorderly behavior are breaking out on his yard, then yes. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/59 "2020-08-15T02:56:17Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > I think if my neighbor is dealing pot, leading to dozens or hundreds of people gathering at a time and fights and other disorderly behavior are breaking out on his yard, then yes There are hundreds of people gathering at your neighbor’s house just to buy pot? ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560/60 "2020-08-15T03:24:19Z")
No. But cockfights are big gatherings. Dozens of people, at least. Lots of money changing hands. People agitated. The point of bloodsports is to get agitated. My point isn’t that all laws should be equally enforced. It’s that illegal cockfights are not innocuous events, and it’s reasonable to want them shut down. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-kind-of-argument-only-one-thing-matters/681560.md?page=4)