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whataboutism is good (lemmy.ml)

submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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If someone claims they're driven by a moral principle, then you check they're consistent about the principle.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

That's not whataboutism. The meaning has changed over time.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Example:

Tommy says:"You can't support the Provos because they committed war crimes."

His syllogism is:

Major premise: No group who commits war crimes can be supported [this is implied/hidden]
Minor premise: The Provos committed war crimes
Conclusion: therefore the PIRA cannot be supported

Now if I say, "Do you support the Thatcher government? They committed lots of war crimes?", I am asking is he sincere about his major premise.

If he's not sincere about his major premise/moral principle, then he is insincere about it, he is hypocritically moralising to score rhetorical points.

If he is true to his principle, he will apply it across the board.

So whataboutism is good and reasonable.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I don't think your example really fits the definition of whataboutism. That's just calling out hypocrisy

"I'm too full to finish my meal"

"But there are kids starving in Africa!"

That's whataboutism. Bringing up a counterpoint that sounds relevant but actually isn't.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 4 months ago

My example is the original meaning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whataboutism#Origins