http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_ignorance
"a logical fallacy in which it is claimed that a premise is true only because it has not been proven false"
2007-08-31 05:34:13 · 16 answers · asked by Eleventy 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Nope. We aren't the ones making the premise. The religious are. We just say we don't believe them.
2007-08-31 05:37:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
"a logical fallacy in which it is claimed that a premise is true only because it has not been proven false"
This is Theism by definition.
Two rival theories, A and B, are set up. Theory A explains loads of facts and is supported by mountains of evidence. Theory B has no supporting evidence, nor is any attempt made to find any. Now a single little fact is discovered, which A allegedly can’t explain. Without even asking whether B can explain it, the default conclusion is fallaciously drawn: B must be correct. Incidentally, further research usually reveals that A can explain the phenomenon after all.
Dawkins.
2007-08-31 13:08:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. We are not proposing that any premise is true. We are making the logical assertion to consider the premise of god(s) existing false until it is proven true - thus avoiding and countering an argument from ignorance.
2007-08-31 12:41:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"a logical fallacy in which it is claimed that a premise is true only because it has not been proven false"
You need to realise that the foundations of science are not in proving things true, but proving things false. As Karl Popper proved, science work not on logical deduction, but scientific induction.
Most atheist like science. I know I do.
2007-08-31 12:40:15 · answer #4 · answered by Menon R 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Ignorance: See below...........
The two most common forms of the argument from ignorance, can be reduced to the following form:
Something is currently unexplained or insufficiently understood or explained, so it is not (or must not be) true.
Because there appears to be a lack of evidence for one hypothesis, another chosen hypothesis is therefore considered proven.
WHAT SAY YOU, ATHEISTS?
2007-08-31 12:41:23 · answer #5 · answered by Kaliko 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
that is really humble of you to say that. most atheist on here say they believe in science so they're right and we're wrong and thats that . i agree, there can be a lot more detailed explanations to prove there is a God and how he works and i think science is that missing piece instead of people saying God exist and thats that. us creationist don't always make a good argument but i have been researching for the past 5 years on both views and still believe more in God. but you make a good point and thanks for the humble question. more athiest need to be open minded, not saying they should give up their beliefs if thats what makes them happy....but not to be so fast to put us down.
2007-08-31 15:01:43 · answer #6 · answered by noholdsbarrcanfer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say yes. But I also think theists do likewise. Taking all sacred texts out of the equation (because they prove nothing either way), you can't prove that there is not god because of the nature of this hypothetical god; but conversely, the same factors that preclude disproving god also preclude proving him.
For example, 100 years ago, we did not have the tools to detect dark matter. That does not mean that it didn't exist, even though there was no evidence to support it.
2007-08-31 12:43:38 · answer #7 · answered by ZombieTrix 2012 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends, of course, on what we're arguing.
If we say that there is, with absolute certainty, no god... then yes. That's why weak atheism is the more logically justifiable position.
However, theism is more likely to commit this particular fallacy. How many theists have you ever heard reply, when asked to provide evidence of their god, "No one can prove my god doesn't exist, so that means it's true that it does!"
2007-08-31 12:44:58 · answer #8 · answered by N 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Christians always use false premises, "God exists therefore...."
I have never seen a theistic argument starting from "i don't know ", therefore since the premise is false most christian arguments(if not all) arguments are invalid, which is something they fail to grasp.
2007-08-31 12:43:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
If the atheist claims "there is no god," then it is an argument from ignorance. If the atheist claims not to believe in God, take them at their word.
If the faithful claims "there is a god," then it is an argument from ignorance. If the faithful claims to believe in God, take them at their word.
2007-08-31 12:42:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋