1 definition by Loveable Bastard1
Something that is facile is something that is simplistic and that ignores complexities and nuances.
E.G.
The current state of mainstream news analysis. The current state of (especially) Western or domestically internal political discourse regarding the issues of the contemporary world. The soundbite, the blurb, the blog. An explanation that fits in a browser screen-- an easy answer that can be bandied about in place of an informed, researched position. Facile articles are easily clickable news links on the Web, such that little or no sourcing or evidence is cited.
E.G.
The current state of mainstream news analysis. The current state of (especially) Western or domestically internal political discourse regarding the issues of the contemporary world. The soundbite, the blurb, the blog. An explanation that fits in a browser screen-- an easy answer that can be bandied about in place of an informed, researched position. Facile articles are easily clickable news links on the Web, such that little or no sourcing or evidence is cited.
Person A: Muslims attacked us on 9-11. The Taliban needed to be taken out for harboring Al-Qaeda.
Person B: That rationale is facile. Haven't you considered for a moment that the Mujahideen were supported previously by the U.S. in Afghanistan? It's not so simple, you moron.
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Person C: Hey, I read on a reputable news blog that Christ was invented by the Flavians to soften first-century Messianic Jewish insurgents against Rome.
Person D: As an agnostic, that is something I would like to believe; however, I think this is a facile story concocted by New Atheism in order to further an anti-religious agenda. What might be better is approaching an historic-religious understanding of ourselves and each other in the world we actually live in, rather than intensifying such harsh polemics in the face of a Fascist global system that will use any divisiveness to sic us to one another's throats for its own gain.
Person B: That rationale is facile. Haven't you considered for a moment that the Mujahideen were supported previously by the U.S. in Afghanistan? It's not so simple, you moron.
___
Person C: Hey, I read on a reputable news blog that Christ was invented by the Flavians to soften first-century Messianic Jewish insurgents against Rome.
Person D: As an agnostic, that is something I would like to believe; however, I think this is a facile story concocted by New Atheism in order to further an anti-religious agenda. What might be better is approaching an historic-religious understanding of ourselves and each other in the world we actually live in, rather than intensifying such harsh polemics in the face of a Fascist global system that will use any divisiveness to sic us to one another's throats for its own gain.
by Loveable Bastard1 October 15, 2013