Informal fallacy: "Who is to Say" Fallacy

This fallacy occurs when a person assumes that asserting “who is to say” (or some variation) ends the need for further discussion. It assumes that there is no way to prove if one claim is stronger or weaker than another. The person appears to be asking a question, but they have the answer in-mind : no one is to say.

This fallacious reasoning does not prove anything and is often used as a tactic to simply end discussion or an easy (lazy) way to avoid taking a position on an issue. However, it may appear, this needs to be proved through argument and not vanity, appeal to laziness, or faulty hopes of unity.

 Example:

Some people are discussing evolutionary theory versus creationism

Hansel: You know, the evidence for evolution seems overwhelming. There is the fossil evidence, the genetic data and all kinds of…”

Davidson: That may be. But you can’t  just equate the universe with mere chance. The effect or consequent has to have a cause equal to or greater than itself. God is the cause not chance.
Geoff: Hey, guys lighten up, man. I mean, hey man, no one can really decide who is right here. So there is no point in arguing. Hansel, you can pray to Darwin and Rorty. Davidson,  you can keep praying to Jesus. See… everything be everything, it’s cool, brothers, everyone can be happy and live their life because no one is right or wrong… ‘who can say for sure?’


credit and thanks to:
www.Hebrew4Christians.com