Informal Fallacy: Appeal to Ignorance

When the premises of an argument affirm that nothing has been proven about something, and the conclusion makes a definite assertion about that thing, the argument commits an appeal to ignorance.

 Examples:

People have tried to prove that demons exist, but no one has ever succeeded. Therefore we must conclude that demons are a bunch of rubbish

People have tried to disprove that demons exist, but no one has ever succeeded. Therefore we must conclude that demons do exist.

This fallacy is also known as the “burden of proof”. Lack of evidence for something or not for something is not evidence for it. By appealing to ignorance we make the error of closing our case long before we have really created a case at all or had proper time to amass information or engage in purposeful debate.  In America court cases, the party is innocent until proven guilty so the burden of proof is on the prosecution or A. B is innocent until enough evidence is called upon to make a case against. The burden of proof rests on those who claim that something exists (bigfoot, demons, UFOs, psychic powers, clairvoyance, bi-location, etc.)

Examples:

Haddox: I think that some people have the ability to bi-locate.                                                           McGruver: What is your proof?                                                                                                                  Haddox: No one has been able to prove that people cannot bi-locate.        

You cannot prove that God does not exist, so He does
You cannot prove that God exists, therefore He does not.               

As Davis writes, “Lack of proof is not proof.”

Proof: Identify the proposition in question. Argue that it may be true even though we don’t know whether it is or it is not. The reasonability of something rests on the amount of evidence, data, premises, etc. that can infer a logical and direct connection to the conclusion. The strength of the conclusion will rest on the strength and the number of the premises (claims).      

God exists

Jesus Christ fulfills the prophecies written about Him                                                                                      

Jesus Christ has shown us the Father                                                                                                                    

Jesus claims to be equal to God                                                                                                                                                        

Jesus was born and a real person in history                                                                                                      

Jesus healed                                                                                                                                                                     

Jesus raised Lazarus who was dead for four days                                                                                                

Jesus received worship                                                                                                                                             

Jesus forgave sins                                                                                                                                                                             

Jesus rose from the dead                                                                                                                                                   

Many men and women witnessed these miracles and the resurrection, and were themselves transformed from the experience                                          

Therefore God has proven His existence

 

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