I tend to use the word, “so” as one of several convincing words to end questioning. Same with the words, “because” and “then” – transition words that move a concept from consideration to conclusion. I use them as Second Degree of Illumination defense to avoid Third Degree of Illumination inquiry and convince myself of my rightness within my First-Second Degree of Illumination bubble.
I use convincing words to invoke consensus as a defense and to halt further investigation. As a conjunction, the word “so” means, “and for this reason; therefore.” (Google) “Because” as conjunction means, “for the reason that; since.” (Google) “Then” and “therefore” conjunctions essentially mean the same as “so”.
Convincing Words and the End of Inquiry
Convincing words often indicate an assertion I accept without question. They connect my beliefs about THIS to my beliefs about THAT in this fashion:
- This so that. Often this indicates a logical fallacy like, “All cats have fur and walk on four legs. Dogs have fur and walk on four legs. So, therefore, then – dogs are cats.”
- This because of that. Often indicates a defense of a position – “I know this because… [some reason(s)].” This is a logical justification conclusion. Cause > Effect > DONE! No question!
- This then that. Often indicates that I’ve made a logical connection between a cause and an effect. Without questions, my logical connection will continue to act as a defense of my position.
Each case above identifies a cause-effect relationship I believe and am attempting to defend via agreement rather than logical reasoning, applying question-stopping convincing words as conjunctions.
The more convincing words succeed in invoking consensus, the more I feel convinced, too, and the less likely I am to question assumptions, conclusions, and logical outcomes. Basically, without questions, I’m invoking faith to sustain, support, and defend my beliefs.
“If faith is a valid tool of knowledge, then anything can be true ‘by faith,’ and therefore nothing is true. If the only reason you can accept a claim is by faith, then you are admitting that the claim does not stand on its own merits.” (Dan Barker)
Like faith, these and other convincer words tend to end questioning and return me to my First-Second Degree of Illumination bubble. When you hear one or more of these words – inquire, “What questions are NOT being asked?”
