Trivial objections 163
demolishing the case which is presented. The fallacy is com-
mitted because they are not up to the task to which they are
assigned, not because they are erroneous.
We cannot countenance any involvement in a land war in Europe. Think
of what it might do to the supply of long-life milk from the continent.
(Integrity, honour and glory sometimes seem pretty trivial reasons -
but long-life milk...)Associate membership of the European Union, when it was
known as the European Economic Community, was, however,
rejected by a British prime minister as 'beneath our dignity'.
Trivial objections tend to appear when the central thrust of
the argument is difficult to oppose. Very often they make their
appearance as practical difficulties put in the way of a popular
proposal.
Although banning cars from the High Street will severely hit trade at my
own store, I would still go along with the majority but for one thing. We
do not have a single sign-writer in the area who could make up the
necessary road signs.It is often difficult to oppose the democratic process without
appearing to be undemocratic. The fallacy of trivial objections
permits a combination of readiness to accept the idea with
hostility to any practical proposal. Elections can be opposed
because of the paperwork involved. Referenda, while good in
principle, can be opposed on grounds of cost.
Of course we, as teachers, would like the parents to have the final say on
this; but there just isn't a hall big enough for such a meeting.
(A meeting of teachers who really favoured the proposal could
meanwhile be held in the store-cupboard.)