Revision as of 21:14, 11 January 2019

• Work In progress

History

The previous incarnation of Name The Trait had several issues (as discussed in that article) which led to us recommending strongly against its usage. The new formalization of Name The Trait (discussed here) has largely corrected for these and is formally valid. While a number of unofficial fixes have been recommended, this article covers the new versions recognized by the original author as authoritative.

Whether this formalization represents a new argument in terms of structure that replaces an invalid original argument or represents only a formalization of the original argument that corrects for informal semantic issues is moot. Arguments for the former appeal to early comments and original usage/presentation (discussed briefly in the old article), while arguments for the latter appeal to stated authorial intent. Given that the argument is valid now, its pedigree or relationship to the previous argument isn't particularly relevant to its current force or persuasive ability.

The formalization discussed here was endorsed by the original author Isaac Brown (A.K.A. Ask Yourself) in consultation with or including corrections from discord users Dr. Avi, _jhc, and Alex Malpass. The degree to which Brown's argument can be said to have been "fixed for him", which arguably implies him not being very instrumental in its correction, is also insubstantial and not topical to this article. At risk of labouring the point, the argument is valid now and that is what matters.

While some practical limitations (in terms of audience) may still apply, this argument could serve as a compelling one for veganism within its niche (which is speculated to be most strongly applicable be non-theistic subjectivists who want to be generalists) and deserves some discussion.

This article will begin by presenting the argument, explaining how it is formally valid, and conclude by discussing potential pros and cons to its usage and which audiences may be most likely to be swayed to veganism by the argument and those it generates. This page will also keep track of future iterations of or improvements to the argument.

Formal Argument

p1) If all views in category x are all views that affirm a given human is reducible to a given human animal (via trait switching) while retaining moral value, all views in category x can only deny the given animal has moral value on pain of p^-P.

P2) All views in category x are all views that affirm a given human is reducible to a given animal (via trait switching) while retaining moral value

c) Therefore, all views in category x can only deny the given animal has moral value on pain given p^-P.

This argument is a simple Modus Ponens. Put simply: If A then B. A, therefore B. While the premises (P1 and P2) may be challenged, the conclusion must follow if both premises are true.

Niche

While the logic still holds, those who can name traits that would make them appear to be complacent moral monsters may not be persuaded to veganism by the argument (for example those who would endorse raising, killing, and eating mentally challenged humans on the basis of an IQ trait).