Mattison (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} agnosticoracle) wrote,@ 2008-10-02 13:49:00 |
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Pedantic
Question inspired by a silly exchange on another LJ. If 95% of a group believes something is it unfair to say said group believes that? To site a non-controversial example, would it be wrong to say that the medical field believes it has a role to "address alcohol abuse problems among their patients and their patient's families." Or should one always insert fine print that says 95% of medical professionals believe they have a role to "address alcohol abuse problems among their patients and their patient's families."
Would this change if the subject is controversial or discussion is in the context of a joke?
Question inspired by a silly exchange on another LJ. If 95% of a group believes something is it unfair to say said group believes that? To site a non-controversial example, would it be wrong to say that the medical field believes it has a role to "address alcohol abuse problems among their patients and their patient's families." Or should one always insert fine print that says 95% of medical professionals believe they have a role to "address alcohol abuse problems among their patients and their patient's families."
Would this change if the subject is controversial or discussion is in the context of a joke?
