“But if the belief has been accepted on insufficient
evidence, the pleasure is a stolen one. Not only does it deceive ourselves by giving us a sense of power which
we do not really possess, but it is sinful, because it is stolen in defiance of our duty to mankind” (William Clifford)
1.Man seeks power
2.That power can be based on deception
C:Then that power is sinful
I think that this argument is valid because each argument follows directly into the conclusion. Each sentence is about power
However, I don’t think this is sound. I don’t think everyone seeks power. Clifford even says previously that some power is based on sound evidence, in which case the power is fine, “pleasurable” even.
His thesis overall is about seeking out the right, sound, evidence. Analyzing the reasons and evidence given makes you question everything, which is a good thing, to think critically.
I think Clifford makes one fallacy: generalization. He assumes all men seek power, which I don’t think to be true.
trying my best 