17.790 "cui bono" is not "so what"

From: Humanist Discussion Group (by way of Willard McCarty willard.mccarty@kcl.ac.uk)
Date: Fri May 07 2004 - 16:54:38 EDT

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                   Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 17, No. 790.
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             Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 07:15:27 +0100
             From: e.schmidt-ihn@t-online.de (Dr. Eberhard Schmidt-Ihn)
             Subject: Re: 14.0036 applause for argumenta ad risum

    Madam, Sir,

    reference is made to 12.0366 argumenta ad risum (25.Jan 1999).

    "Cui bono?" is not the "so what" argument but instead it is a problem
    solving question. "Cui bono" means "who has a benefit" from something (a
    crime e.g.), and answering this question can lead to the perpetrator (in
    case of a crime), per hoc quod a perpetrator always aimes at his benefit.

    Eberhard Schmidt-Ihn

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