The Martyrdom of a Molehill?!
20 April 2010
The according to George Bernard Shaw:
“Martyrdom … is the only way in which a man can become famous without ability.”
This may be true, but the inverse is certainly not true.
That is, this may be true of the man without ability, but isn’t true of all men who have been martyred. Just because a man was martyred does not mean that he was without ability. This is a non sequitur. It doesn’t follow. To imply that all martyrs, having become famous, were unable men. It doesn’t follow.
You might argue that he did not say this. True. But most cognizant people would be aware of what he is meaning to say. You might argue that I am making a mountain out of a molehill. Perhaps you are correct. But even molehills are an annoyance to the well-kept lawn of reason and rationality.
If you are right, then Mr. George has said nothing profound and if he reputation were to hinge upon this one statement, then he ought to put his preaching to practice. If I am right, then Mr. George has said something that doesn’t follow. He is attempting to affirm the consequent and there is nothing there but a pile of dirt. A reminder of a rat-like creature that is mostly blind to the rest of reality.
It is merely a molehill of irrationality.
It is merely an annoyance to be pushed to the side.
