Entry posted by Jean Valjean
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Like all of us, I have been called a hypocrite. It's part of life. Both the accusations and the fact that I am a hypocrite. Everyone's a hypocrite somehow.
Still, what often nags me is the way that it gets used in debates. In my mind, hypocrisy is not the same thing as having flawed reasoning or an imperfect argument. That's what I call logical inconsistencies. What comes to my mind when using the word "hypocrite" is a person who preaches a belief without believing that it applies to them. For example, I might guilt someone into sharing their donuts with me, but later on when I'm the person with the donuts I won't share with them. Yes, I do that all the time. I'm a total hypocrite when it comes to anything food related.
Being called a hypocrite does seem to be an overused term in debate sometimes. It's a bit too accusatory and it's always personal. It should not be used when the flaw being exposed is a mere error in reasoning.
Now that you know where I see the difference, call me out on hypocrisy when I'm being unfair and hogging in all the donuts. Call me out on a logical inconsistency when it turns out when I take an imperfect analogy too literally.
Your Honor,
Emperor Kraggh
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