Logical Fallacy in "L.S.D. Users Not a Part of "Love Generation"

The article “L.S.D. Users Not a Part of ‘Love Generation’” contains mainly Hasty Generalization and Either/Or Fallacy. The author looks at a study comparing teenagers who use L.S.D. and those who do not. The study found that “non-users were argumentative; users were escapists”. It also found that users had antisocial tendencies and “chaotic” sex behavior. For these reasons, the author claims that the term “love generation” should not be applied to users. The author’s claim contains hasty generalization because not all users necessarily have antisocial tendencies or chaotic sex behavior. Both could be dependent on how much or how often they use, which relates also to the Either/Or fallacy. The author’s claim is too simplistic because not everyone who uses may exhibit the negative effects that the doctor’s presented in the study.

Logical Fallacies of "White Rabbit"

Almost none of the argument made by Jefferson Airplane is supported by evidence, so any claims made within "White Rabbit" could be considered as logical fallacies. The group utilizes many weak analogies to a fantasy from "Alice in Wonderland", referring to the strange, other-worldly adventures of the several characters. Jefferson Airplane implies that these sort of events can occur in a high (without actually supporting it), and this shows an appealing viewpoint of drug use. There is also a logical fallacy within the response to the message of the song. Because Jefferson Airplane already had strong credibility in the mind of their young, rebellious audience, people will just assume that what the band says goes, even without any supporting evidence. So, when the song claims initially that "one pill makes you larger and one pill makes you small and the ones that mother gives you don't do anything at all", the audience already believes that it's true because a popular group of people believe it, which is called a Bandwagon Fallacy.

Style in "White Rabbit"

Style in art is included within pathos, as style heavily influences pathological appeal. However, style is so important to pathos in art that it deserves a separate analysis. The song White Rabbit begins with bass chords has instruments incorporated into the music one at a time. This gives the feeling of increasing intensity of feelings over time, just as one would feel while taking drugs. The music video adds to this effect, which in itself seems to advocate drug use just by glamorizing the hallucinogenic effects of LSD. The song's lyrics further glamorize the effects of LSD by comparing the world of LSD to the wonderland of Alice in Wonderland.

Main Argument of "LSD is not apart of the Love Generation"

The main argument in "LSD is not a apart of the Love Generation" is that LSD usage is detrimental. Before the article itself, the title both disputes the idea the beneficiality of LSD and implies that evaluation is the stasis in this text. The article uses the study by Dr. John D. Henala, Dr. Leon J. Epstein and Dr. K. H. Blacker to evaluate the adverse effects of LSD usage. Initially article cites the doctors comment about how LSD users "were filled with anger they could not handle". The quote describes one of several negatives of LSD usage, as well as providing a professional opinion to the article. Later on the article list the results of the study with non-users having, better academic performance, better family conflict resolution, and stability "in sex life". While some of these advantages that the article cites are ridiculous, it supplements the overall argument by providing research. The article finishes with a quote from a psychiatrist stating that "Most of the young people who had used LSD were precisely the patients for whom LSD is not helpful". This encapsulates the article's main argument, which is that LSD is detrimental for people who do not need it. Additionally it adds another professional opinion to the article.

Stasis theory and "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane

When tackling the subject of drug use and the culture that surrounded it, Grace Slick used certain aspects of stasis theory in writing her song "White Rabbit". While the questions of fact and definition are not thoroughly addressed, this is because she is speaking to an audience that already agrees that drugs have become a part of American society, especially among young people. Instead, Slick focuses on quality and policy. The main argument of the song deals with the question of if drugs are good or bad? She does not beg the question but instead presents drugs in a positive light right from the onset of the song. Her main stasis comes from policy, in which she answers what should be done next. Slick urges parents to not discourage drug usage from their children when they expose them to drug related stories from an early age. Furthermore, she challenges members of her own generation to continue to explore themselves and their minds.

Pathos in "L.S.D Users Not a Part of the 'Love Generation'"

The article "LSD Users Not a part of the 'Love Generation'" is primarily focuses on appeals to ethos and logos, as the article cites facts and conjecture by psychiatrists rather than emotional appeals. However, there is some appeal to pathos in the article. Notably, the use of the phrase "Love Generation" appeals to the imagination; one imagines a generation full of friendly and loving people. The title of this article is meant to shatter this illusion that L.S.D. users are all friendly and happy people. The choice to mention that users were "filled with anger they could not handle" seems like somewhat of an embellishment that appeals to emotion over logic.

Logos in “L.S.D. Users Not a Part of the ‘Love Generation’”

In “L.S.D. Users Not a Part of ‘Love Generation’” the author presents its negative view of psychedelic drugs. The author appeals to logos of the audience by citing facts presented by doctors regarding the effects of psychedelics. A study was done comparing 20 hospitalized teens who had taken LSD and other patients who had not. The author claims that users are not a part of the “Love Generation” because psychedelics can often have effects on a user’s behavior. LSD, in many cases, can cause anger and antisocial behavior. They also pointed out that users did not do as well at school or work. In presenting the negative effects that can come from using psychedelic drugs, the author appeals to the logic of the reader. The reader might have otherwise been unaware of the negative consequences of a “bad trip” and might be less willing to use. They might consider the negative effects that using could have on their emotional and physical health.