False dichotomies and other fallacies RPGers use

[ggroy]

The case of particular interest for gamers with respect to the "law of large numbers" is:

Let the random variable Y be equal to the number of successful dice rolls throughout n independent dice rolls with probability p of success. (ie. This follows a binomial distribution with n trials and probability p of success). The ratio Y/n is the relative frequency of success.

One can show via the binomial distribution and Tchebyshev's inequality, that for every fixed epsilon > 0,

limit {n->infinity} Probability( |Y/n - p| < epsilon) = 1

(Note that this is only true in the limit when the number of independent dice rolls approaches infinity. It says very little about the case where the number of independent dice rolls is finite).

 

[Mercule]

This one isn't on the list, but I remember it from debate class: Post hoc ergo propter hoc. (After that, therefore from that. If A came before B, A caused B.)

4e came after WoW, therefore 4e rules are caused by WoW.

 

[Hussar]

My personal favourites:

- I don't like X. I don't like bad things. Therefore, because I don't like X, X is bad.

- Any examples which run counter to my point are due to observer error, not any mistakes in whatever my point is.

- Any disagreement with my point is because my point is being misunderstood. I will further refuse to actually clarify my point because, that will also be misunderstood.

Sorry, don't know the fancy names for any of those.

 

[steenan]

One fallacy I quite commonly see on various RPG boards is
"There is no bad gaming" (as in: every style of play is equally valid)
If what you do ruins fun for any other player at your table, you are playing wrong.

 

[Jhaelen]

- Any disagreement with my point is because my point is being misunderstood. I will further refuse to actually clarify my point because, that will also be misunderstood.

Yep. That's classical behaviour!

One fallacy I quite commonly see on various RPG boards is
"There is no bad gaming" (as in: every style of play is equally valid)
If what you do ruins fun for any other player at your table, you are playing wrong.

Why is that a fallacy?

 

[Piratecat]

Which one is "if I send an insulting and profanity-laden diatribe to the admin, he will suddenly understand my point and allow me back on the site"? 'Cause I want that one on the list!

 

[Dragonhelm]

Is-Ought Problem:
4E's classes are balanced, and they must remain balanced to be fun.

Bare Assertion:
Person A: 4E is the most balanced version of D&D.
Person B: I agree.

Edit: I have no animosity towards 4E. These were simply examples.

Beat me to the punch on this one.

I felt like this fallacy was way overused in 3e. From my perspective, it sounded as if the designers had been burned by unbalanced parties enough times that they were determined to put a stop to it through the rules.

I do think that balance can add to fun, making a fair playing ground, but I don't think it should be the primary focus of the game.

Appeal to Authority: Gygax said to do it this way, therefore you should do it this way.

I'm guilty of using this in Dragonlance circles with Weis and Hickman. Gygax is probably our prime example as one of the fathers of D&D, but he's not our only one.

I would look towards Gygax as a good source for original intent, for the evolution of the game, and as someone to look at if your playstyle is similar to his. Yet the game has evolved beyond Gygax's original intent, so you should not feel beholden to Gygax for your playstyle.

Excellent discussion!

 

[FireLance]

Which one is "if I send an insulting and profanity-laden diatribe to the admin, he will suddenly understand my point and allow me back on the site"? 'Cause I want that one on the list!

That's not a fallacy, that's being a phal- nevermind.

 

[FireLance]

And the use of the polymorph spell.

Actually, I thought the ultimate spell that blurred the line between subjective opinion and objective fact was solipisim (2e Tome of Magic version*).

* If I remember correctly.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

I'll throw in ad hominem attacks, which have got to be the most prevalent on the Internets.

Of course, it'd be nice if more people actually understood what ad hominem means. (It's not a synonym for saying something mean, folks.)