One rhetorical device used in arguments is referred to as the “straw man”, and you’ll be able to tell when you see a straw man argument in action when somebody ascribes a quality to the opponent, and then criticizes that opponent for that quality.
Here’s a pretty decent example: there are people who clearly know better, who criticize the stances of traditional Shotokan karate, suggesting that people can’t fight or spar well from such low stances.
Now, that’s just a silly argument, although it’s a true statement of fact.
Because when you look at videos of Shotokan Karate Tournaments, you’ll see that nobody is using one of those very low stances, because they’re not fighting stances!
They are stances for training, not fighting!
Remember, Shotokan Karate is a carefully graduated sequence of exercises that produces a predictable result, which is a martial artist who is flexible enough, and strong enough, and can move freely enough, to execute techniques in the syllabus of Shotokan (which includes just about everything!) easily and without, you know, falling down!
So now you know what a straw man argument is, and you know that it’s being used whenever somebody (who usually knows better) suggests that Shotokan stances are too low for sparring and fighting.
Because that’s not what they’re for!
And, yes, every now and then somebody makes that argument, and even causes it to show up in print. On the internet.
Oh, well. People do what they do for the reasons they do ‘em, and they keep doing ‘em, and no amount of fact can dissuade somebody who wants to believe that his style is the only true way!
Myself, I kinda like Shotokan Karate because it’s easy to see (from the other students in class) about what I’ll be able to do in another ten years or so, and that works for me!
Now, if you want to watch a Shotokan stylist discussing stances for purposes of fighting or sparring, here is Lyoto Machida doing exactly that!
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Well, good description on a straw man argument. I am never familiar with it and you just gave me an info. Thanks.