Argument From Incredulity
Argument From Incredulity
classification : informal – fallacies of defective induction
Literally “that’s unbelievable = that’s obviously not real”. Where a participant draws a positive conclusion from an inability to imagine or believe the converse.
Foundations
This argument is a logical fallacy that essentially relies on a lack of imagination in the audience.
the argument is used in combination with some evidence in an attempt to sway opinion towards a preferred conclusion. It is a logical fallacy to the degree that the personal incredulity is offered as further evidence. In such an instance, the person making the argument has inserted a personal bias in an attempt to strengthen the argument for acceptance of her or his preferred conclusion.
Examples
I can’t imagine how bread rises without fairies; therefore, I believe in faeries.
I can’t believe the medium figured all that stuff out about me without spiritual aid; she must be in touch with the paranormal.
Other Names
Argument from personal belief
Argument from personal conviction
Argument from ignorance
god of the gaps
Notes: The argumentum ad ignorantiam [fallacy] is committed whenever it is argued that a proposition is true simply on the basis that it has not been proven false, or that it is false because it has not been proven true.
- Irving M. Copi, Introduction To Logic
© 2009, jhslee. All rights reserved.
