Of Fallacies and Errors, New and Repeated: A Rejoinder to Butcher et al. (2018)

Abstract

Abstract Butcher, Hass, Greene, Nelson, Nichols, and Williams (2018) responded to my (Ben-Porath, 2018) critique of Butcher, Hass, Greene, and Nelson’s (2015) analysis of Ted Kaczynski’s MMPI–2–RF, purporting to find logical fallacies in my arguments and shortcomings in my interpretation of MMPI–2–RF scales. Butcher et al. (2018) repeated several previously refuted arguments and opinions, while failing to acknowledge, let alone consider, prior responses to their claims. In this rejoinder I refute (again) Butcher et al.’s assertion that empirical data raise questions about the “clinical sensitivity” of MMPI–2–RF scales, identify an extensive literature relevant to forensic use of the MMPI–2–RF that Butcher and colleagues have systematically ignored, and identify a series of logical and factual fallacies along with new and repeated errors of omission and commission in Butcher et al.’s response.