Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M3788

Argument from Ignorance

Argument from Ignorance
StructureHigh supportLogic
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Asserting that a proposition is true simply because it has not been proven false; or asserting that it is false because it has not been proven true. That is, "You can't prove there are no ghosts, so there are ghosts."

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Allocation of burden of proof. In science and law, the burden of proof lies with the person making the claim. Inability to falsify does not mean confirmation. This is a powerful tool for refuting conspiracy theories.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Using "cannot be falsified/cannot be proven" as the basis for a proposition being true or false is a typical logical fallacy: lack of evidence does not equal the opposite being true.

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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_ignoranceZH · Explicit
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