In many ancient legends and fairy tales, magic is often portrayed as a powerful force that can transform ordinary objects into something extraordinary. One such example of magical transformation is the ability to change grease into something else entirely. This notion is often depicted in stories where a character possesses a magic ability to perform such a feat. The idea of changing grease with the wave of a wand or the utterance of a spell can seem fantastical and whimsical, but in the realm of fantasy, anything is possible. This magical ability may be attributed to a specific character, such as a sorcerer or a wizard, who possesses the knowledge and power to manipulate substances. The concept of changing grease through magic can be interpreted in various ways.
The concept of changing grease through magic can be interpreted in various ways. One interpretation could be the transformation of dirty or greasy objects into clean and polished ones. This implies that the magic has the ability to cleanse and purify, removing any impurities or unwanted substances from the grease.
Mooney's Theology Blog
Following the rules of logic is the key to making a good argument for any proposition. Logic is something of a science, which with practice, can be mastered. The following is meant to be an amusing demonstration of logic by using an example of bad logic from a scene in the classic British comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975).
You may watch the clip here and then see my analysis of the logical reasoning below:
An Inductive Argument:
At the beginning of the scene, the mob attempts to use inductive reasoning, which means they attempt to arrive at a conclusion ("She's a witch!") by way of empirical evidence. What evidence do they provide? A witch's nose, witch's clothing, a witch's hat, and a wart. The nose, clothing, and hat all fail to lead to the conclusion, because, as it turns out, they forced her to dress in such a way. Therefore, they are false premises (see the argument below). The wart alone, then, is insufficient to declare her a witch, because non-witches have warts. This is the problem with inductive arguments--they are not conclusively true with absolute certainty. Inductive arguments, at their best, can only suggest the truth of their conclusion with a high degree of probability. [1] Inductive arguments may be strong and cogent. If the given premises lead to the conclusion with a high degree of probability, it is strong. If the given premises are true and they lead to the conclusion, the argument is cogent. In this case, the argument is strong, but not cogent (because three of the premises are false).
- The woman has a witch's nose, (false premise)
- and [she is wearing] witch's clothing, (false premise)
- and [she is wearing] a witch's hat. (false premise)
- She has a wart. (insufficient for the conclusion)
- Only witches have witches' noses, clothing, hats, and warts.
- Therefore, she's a witch!
A Deductive Argument:
- If she weighs the same as a duck, she'll float. (false, confuses weight with density)
- she does weigh the same as a duck; (true in this case, if the scales are to be trusted)
- [conclusion #1] Therefore, she'll float. (valid but unsound)
- If she floats, she is made of wood. (false, many other things float)
- She does float; (false/based on conclusion #1)
- [conclusion #2] Therefore, she's made of wood. (valid but unsound)
- If she's made of wood, she's a witch. (assumed by all in the scene to be true)
- She is made of wood; (false/based on conclusion #2)
- [conclusion #3] Therefore, she's a witch! (valid but unsound)
Unfortunately for the young lady accused, this crowd of peasants and their dim-witted leader, Sir Bedevere, do not understand that arguments can be valid but still untrue.
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[1] Scientific data and evidence presented in court are empirical data meant to construct an inductive argument. Scientific theories and verdicts in court can't be proven 100%; however, they can be demonstrated to be true beyond a "reasonable doubt."
[2] A syllogism is merely a form of argument in which a conclusion is inferred from two or more premises.
[3] I attempted to compose the argument in the same order as the film, but I couldn't make sense of it. Reworking it in reverse made it work.
[4] Each of the three deductive arguments that make up the larger argument that she is a witch are valid forms. The logical form that they are follow is called modus ponens, which means that the second line affirms the antecedent of the first first line. An explanation of the four valid deductive forms is beyond the scope of this post.
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Transcript:
Mob: "We've found a witch. May we burn her?"
Sir Bedevere: "How do you know she is a witch?"
Mob: "She looks like one!"
Man: "She turned me into a newt (pause). I got better"
Mob: "Burn her anyway!"
Sir Bedevere: "Quiet, Quiet, there are ways of telling if she is a witch. Tell me, what do you do with witches?"
Mob: "Burn 'em"
Sir Bedevere: "And what do you burn apart from witches?"
Mob: "More witches . (silence and pondering) . wood."
Sir Bedevere: "So, why do witches burn?"
Mob: " (pondering) because they're made of wood?"
Sir Bedevere: "Good . So, how do we well whether she is made of wood?"
Mob: "Build a bridge out of her."
Sir Bedevere: "Ah, but can you not also make bridges out of stone?"
Mob: "Oh yeah. "
Sir Bedevere: "Does wood sink in water?"
Mob: "No, it floats. Throw her into the pond!"
Sir Bedevere: "What also floats in water?"
Mob: "apples. cider. cherries. nuts. churches. very small rocks. lead. "
King Arthur: "A duck!"
Sir Bedevere: "Exactly. So, logically .
Mob: "If she weighs the same as a duck, she's made of wood."
Sir Bedevere: "And, therefore . "
Mob: "A witch!"
This interpretation aligns with the notion of magic being a force of transformation and purification. Another interpretation of changing grease through magic could be transforming the physical properties of the substance itself. This could involve altering the viscosity, color, or composition of the grease. Perhaps the magical act results in a grease that is now more slippery, making it an ideal lubricant for enchanted machinery or mechanisms. The idea of changing grease with magic can also be symbolic of the transformative power of magic itself. In many mythologies and folklores, magic is often associated with change and growth. The ability to change grease could represent the transformative power of magic, allowing individuals to overcome challenges, adapt to new situations, and ultimately grow and evolve. Overall, the concept of changing grease through magic holds a sense of wonder and enchantment. It embodies the belief in the extraordinary and the limitless possibilities that magic can bring forth. Whether it is through the cleansing and purifying aspect or the transformative properties, the notion of changing grease through magic continues to captivate our imaginations and remind us of the wonders that can be found within the realm of fantasy..
Reviews for "The Marvels of Grease: How Magic Transforms Everyday Situations"
1. Jennifer - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to watching "Those Magic Changes Grease" as I am a big fan of the original Grease movie. However, I was sorely disappointed. The plot was weak and disjointed, with characters and storylines that felt forced and unnecessary. The songs were lackluster, and it felt like they were trying too hard to recreate the magic of the original. Overall, it just fell flat for me and didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Mark - 1 star
I can't believe I wasted my time watching "Those Magic Changes Grease". It was an absolute disaster from start to finish. The acting was terrible, with most of the cast delivering their lines with no emotion or conviction. The songs were completely forgettable, and the choreography was sloppy and uninspired. It was obvious that this was a cheap cash-grab attempt to piggyback off the success of the original Grease, and it did a disservice to the beloved characters and story. Save yourself the agony and skip this one.
3. Emily - 2 stars
As a fan of the original Grease, I was excited to see a new take on the story with "Those Magic Changes Grease". However, I found it to be a disappointing and unnecessary addition to the Grease universe. The writing was subpar, with many of the jokes falling flat and the dialogue feeling forced. The performances were lackluster, with none of the actors capturing the charm and charisma of the original cast. The whole movie felt like a cheap imitation, and I would recommend sticking to the classic Grease instead.