How ‘How it Works’ Works
A few days ago I had commented on a FB post quoting something from the AA big book. The one where it issues the famous challenge of “if you doubt this (my definition of alcoholic) go the nearest bar and try drinking… (part in parentheses mine.)
I suggested that the passage is rhetorical, meaning the reader has already tried that many times or they would not be in that folding chair drinking lousy coffee.
This and the nonsensical retort led me to again read that chapter. It is a well crafted piece of persuasive writing. The chapter describes in detail the cardinal symptom of alcoholism, loss of control. That line which does not really prove anything places what follows on a personal level.
It ties that down with an anecdote. This is known as the “anecdotal fallacy” or emotional heuristic. It engages the non rational part of the brain centered in emotional response which overrides rational thought. Personal stories introduce strong bias. Research shows that people are much more likely to agree with one story even contradicted by hard evidence.
That is just a part of the setup. Once you agree to one premise it is easier to agree with what follows. That is where the last line delivers the conclusion ‘you cannot overcome alcoholism without God’. It is a classic Non Sequitur. When you agree with premise A you agree with premise B which logically does not follow. It is couched in language making it seem like it does. Commonly used in interrogation and con games.
The next is the “We agnostics” chapter which is really an insult to the intelligence of agnostics and atheists everywhere. It softens objections to the pinnacle of the entire text.
The grand finale. How it works and the steps. No argument or anecdotes there. There are only categorical statements of faith to be repeated out loud at the start of every meeting.