Do Unicorns Have Wings?
Do unicorns have wings? This simple question is the basis of a lesson on how to avoid critical thinking pitfalls that skeptics fall into far too often. So, the question is Do unicorns have wings? Some of us would say immediately , "well of course unicorns don't have wings, they have a horn but no wings". But to the derision of the "horn only" majority a minority might be more "open minded". Perhaps some unicorns do have wings. There could be a whole group of flying unicorns. The classic unicorn believers (or the horn only group) will laugh and say with complete superiority, "Can you believe they think unicorns have WINGS? Everyone knows unicorns just have a horn. Boy are they nutty".
However, the correct answer is 'Unicorns do not have wings" But for the critical thinker the next step is to assert, "They don't have wings, because they don't have a horn, they don't have a tail, they don't have ears or eyes or even 4 legs. Unicorns do not exist. "
The critical thinker has to avoid falling into the trap of being seduced by the more moderate uncritical thinker. It's is this moderate view that has over 50% of the country believing in UFOs. It has a large group of people believing in Bigfoot. It even has gained a wide acceptance in the existance of ghosts. As long as the uncritical emotional thinker doesn't go too far with an unfounded belief , the uncritical thinker can use the excuse of being "open minded" for a simple assertion such as "UFOs are visiting our Earth and abducting people". If it then jumps to "UFOs are visiting our Earth and abducting political and religious leaders and replacing them with alien look alikes" then they are going to lose a lot of people. Bigfoot can be seen as a forest inhabitant in more remote regions that's believable, but move Bigfoot sightings to well traversed hunting grounds in a less remote well populated area and people will soon say, "Well maybe in Tibet or Oregon, but HERE?" It is as if people are willing to believe in unicorns, but not if you give them wings.
I have heard many skeptics say to me well I'm not going to say UFOs are not visiting the Earth. Many are very open minded about the possibility. If you listen to enough moderate UFO alien advocates it's easy to go along and say, " well, yeah, maybe". After all the pressure is there to be open minded to the possibility. It's not like you are agreeing with those crazy extremists!
As a skeptic I like to say instead, "But I know the science. I know how far away the aliens would be. I know that every law of physics as we know it would have to be broken for aliens to build a ship and fly it here to visit us. If you want to claim that somehow they are coming here I want proof of who or what they are, and more importantly where they are coming from". There is more evidence that unicorns are real (certainly they are well documented artistically and in fable and legend) than aliens are visiting Earth. If one must be an open minded skeptic about UFO alien visitation then one should be open minded about unicorns, fairies and leprechauns (all of which we have arguable better evidence for than aliens). Indeed our universe is so well studied and with satellites, radar and astronomers (both amateur and professional) that I would accept a basic belief in Bigfoot more than an alien visitations on a regular and ongoing basis.
The important thing to take away from "Do unicorns have wings?" is to not play by the rules of the uncritical thinking believer. Instead of endlessly answering their questions and shooting down one fallacy after another, make them play by your rules. Cut to the chase and ask, "Do you have scientific proof there are unicorns?" Don't argue the small points. Ask the big question. If there are aliens, where are they coming from? Where are they? Ask them how close they think these aliens are that are visiting? Are they aware of how far the closest planet is that might have life that would resemble our own? Keep the focus on the stars! Keep the focus on the science! No need to argue about aliens unless there is proof of aliens exsisting here on Earth. A better and more interesting argument would be what would be required for extended space travel and where in the universe is the best place for science to look for our nearest neighbors.
Remember there is nothing an uncritical believers hates more than giving up their speculative unsupported belief. They will change their argument until they get you to agree to something! If all they get out of you is an agreement to "well don't' you think there is a possibility, no matter how small, that aliens are visiting our Earth?" they will consider it a victory. It's so easy to fall into that trap and say "well yes, I'm not entirely close minded". The answer should be "No, and until I see evidence that convinces me to the contrary I will keep to that firm NO". Remind then that if they bring you a dead unicorn or Bigfoot you will also believe then in those creatures. Even the most moderate uncritical thinker will work very hard to have you validate their pet belief. You don't have to argue with them. In fact keeping to the main point, that scientific proof will end all the little arguments over the countless minor points, such as unicorns having wings. We want to be nice and polite. Don't tell anyone they can't go unicorn hunting all they want. But, until a unicorn body is bagged and brought in for DNA testing, keep saying they don't exist!
(The flying unicorn theory was first brought to my attention when I was reading an article by Issac Asimov. Unfortunately I can't find the original source. If a reader can direct me to this I would be most grateful. But credit must be given to Issac Asimov for the basic concept behind flying unicorn methodology.)
Kitty Mervine