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Avoiding Fuzzy Thinking
When you’re trying to convince others, you need to think and write clearly and stick to the facts. Avoid lazy or fuzzy thinking. Use these suggestions to keep your thinking clear and logical.
Don’t make statements that jump to conclusions.
“Because a dog can live for 15 years, people over 65 should never get a puppy.”
This statement jumps to a conclusion. It assumes that no one lives to 80 (which is false), and that older people cannot make arrangements for their pets when they are unable to care for them.
Don’t make statements that compare things that aren’t really like each other.
“A dog is like a guardian angel living in your home.”
Some dogs may be like guardian angels, but many others are not. Behavior varies. Also, unlike a guardian angel, a dog needs food, companionship, shelter, vet visits, and opportunities to relieve itself. The comparison is not very accurate.