4.1.3 Weak Points and Counterarguments
Argument: It seems unlikely that there would be perfectly straight lines from one significant historic site to another, unless there was some deeper meaning behind them, especially when the patterns are taken into account.
Rebuttal: Trade routes have been around for centuries, and they often are fairly straight paths from one location to the next. As for the patterns, science and statistics have proven that given a large number of random points, an even greater number of alignments can inevitably be found.
Argument: Mysterious structures such as Stonehenge and the pyramids fall on ley lines, which furthers the argument that ley lines have a deeper significance, such as proof of extraterrestrial life.
Rebuttal: This argument utilizes both the logical fallacy of magical thinking and non sequitur. Magical thinking is utilized in that alien presence has no logical premise, only a “magical” or “wishful” one; and to conclude that a pattern connected to these sites was designed for or by aliens is simply a conclusion that does not follow the argument (non sequitur).
Argument: The Ley line argument has been around for about a hundred years. If there was no evidence for it, then it would have died out a long time ago.
Rebuttal: This argument utilizes the genetic fallacy, meaning it relies on the age of the theory to support its argument, which does not add any real strength to it. It’s not uncommon for an idea with no scientific basis to continue to receive support long after the scientific community has debunked it, due to the idea receiving bandwagon support.