because half the people I was with believed that he was an Arab until I explained that he's Iranian

[Boojatta]

What are some possible underlying assumptions? In no particular order, I can think of the following:

1. Either we believe that race/ethnicity is very important in the Middle East because of official or unofficial discrimination in the Middle East or some participants in our discussion about the Middle East believe that, regardless of what people in the Middle East think, race/ethnicity is very important and should play a role in the discussion.

2. The Iranian government within historical memory deported from Iran all people in Iran who were classified as "Arabs" and the government of Iran continues to enforce a policy of not allowing Arabs to enter Iran.

3. In this discussion, we are using the word "Arab" to mean "citizen of Saudi Arabia." The odds of someone having dual citizenship (Saudi Arabian and Iranian) are small enough that we can simply ignore that possibility.

The above list isn't complete. If there a possibility that you would like to add to the list, then don't hesitate to post it in this thread.

[DonEBrook]

1. What's the source of your claim in #2? Don't Persian Muslims make pilgrimage to Mecca

without interference? Are you saying no citizen of Saudi Arabia can even visit Iran? I simply do not believe that. In any case, whatever point you are attempting to make is pretty obtuse...

[Boojatta]

3. #2 isn't "my claim." It's one entry in a list of "possible underlying assumptions."

[sam sarrha]

4. making a pilgrimage to Mecca doesnt make you an Arab

[DonEBrook]

11. No shit. That wasn't really relevant to my question though, was it?

:eyes:

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. Obtusity is the poster's claim to fame.

Works kind of like a political Rorschach test.

[DonEBrook]

12. Hey no problem for me...they all remind me of sex anyhoo...

:D

[iamthebandfanman]

2. key word, assumptions n/t

[Boojatta]

6. Is it possible to arrive at a conclusion if no assumptions are made?

For example, we normally assume that:

1. Socrates was a man.

Also, we normally assume that:

2. All men are mortal.

Furthermore, we normally assume that:

3. We can rely upon a general principle of reasoning that warrants the conclusion "Socrates was mortal" given assumptions #1 and #2 above.

However, if we refrain from making any of the above three assumptions, then what conclusions can we obtain?

[elleng]

5. What is this about?

'He' who?

[myrna minx]

9. (Just enjoy the show)

:popcorn:

[snooper2]

8. You know...

you are supposed to share the good stuff :smoke: :)

[wtmusic]

10. The respondent is lying, and has never met the "Iranian" nt

[Boojatta]

13. Kick

[Boojatta]

14. Kick