Pathological Rationalism Essay Example for Free

Pathological Rationalism Essay We often encounter a lot of pathological rationalism in the media. Oftentimes, the claims of some commercials and advertisements are half-truths interspersed with testimonies designed to convince people of their truthfulness and helpfulness when in fact, the claims are not acknowledged by nutritional science. Because its marketing and distribution is not prohibited by law, Vitamin O was marketed as a supplement with beneficial effects for anemia, cancer and the improvement of energy and of the mind. These effects, however, are but manifestations of the placebo effect and what is claimed as Vitamin O is saltwater with few additional contents (CNN Interactive, 1999). Because of the lack of scientific basis, the Federal Trade Commission brought against the makers of Vitamin O and the company was ordered by the court to return the money of the customers who bought it because the accounts and the evidences presented in the media about Vitamin O is “blatantly false” (CNN Interactive, 1999).