PrintJuly 9, 2004
The terrorist logic of strength
Terrorists would rather fight a weak and discordant opponent so they can win the war they started and impose their ultimate goal. In American politics today, Kerry and the Democrats are the opponents they would prefer to face as leaders of the Great Satan.
The argument is repeated here, briefly:
1. We terrorists believe that if our enemy is weak and discordant, then we will have a better chance of winning and fulfilling our goal.
2. Kerry and the Democrats, our enemy, are weak and discordant.
3. Therefore, we will have a better chance of winning against Kerry and the Democrats.
Premise (2) and the conclusion, (3), are shocking, but the logic is valid and sound; and the premises were defended easily in the previous article.
Bush, on the other hand, is strong and united, so the argument continues, but in the corollary opposite direction. The modus ponens form is again used because of its clarity, simplicity, and rhetorical force:
4. On the other...(Read Full Article)
