argumentum ad ignorantiam
logic
Quick Summary
The argumentum ad ignorantiam is a logical fallacy where a conclusion is drawn based on a lack of evidence to the contrary. This type of reasoning asserts that something is true simply because it has not been proven false, or false because it has not been proven true. The burden of proof lies with the person making the assertion, not with those who doubt it. This fallacy is also known as an appeal to ignorance. It is a defective form of reasoning because the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.123
Summary created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
5 Britannica Sources
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.