Logic: The Fallacy Called Appeal to Ignorance
August 14, 2008 · Print This Article
This is the fourth part of a four part series introducing logical fallacies commonly used by Neo-Darwinists, Evolutionists, and Atheists. To better understand why we should bother to know what these fallacies are, please read the introduction.
It’s all about the Faith. Illogical but true…
The fallacy called Appeal to Ignorance, or Argumentum ad Ignorantiam can be understood in the phrase “X is true because it hasn’t been proven false”. So, in the discussion of evolution, the argument goes like this: “we may not have enough evidence to prove evolution, but there is no evidence to disprove it either—therefore, it must be true.” As a reminder—the only reason I am even pointing these out is to help equip the thinking believer with some internal measure of understanding that, even though atheistic scientists and neo-Darwinists like to posture as if they speak from authority and reason, the opposite is most often the case.
There are so many more examples of Logical Fallacies within the ongoing discussions and arguments published out there by the noisy crowd, that I can’t possibly explain all of them. The important thing is to be encouraged by the conclusion that it’s intellectually OK—in fact, more honest and rational to boldly stand on your faith—not relying on logic or reason. Even those who emphatically claim that their position stands solely on reason do not actually employ the discipline of logic in their own publications. Rather, they practice a faith of their own, shaped by their worldview and emotion.
It should be even more encouraging to find that scripture speaks to this very issue—in a way that could not be more relevant to where we are in the progression of how science and faith intersect with our culture.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:
“ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty…”
-1 Corinthians 1:18-27 (NKJV)
“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
-1 Corinthians 2:14
I am not associated with any religion, but nor would I consider myself to be an athiest.
I’m not arguing the side of either really, but surely the fallacy you call “appeal to ignorance” applies just as much to religion as it does to science or evolution? I mean, there is not enough evidence to prove that any God exists for certain, but as there is not enough evidence to disprove either then He must? It’s exactly the same argument that you were critising science for using, completely aside from the fact that there appears, at first glance, to be far more evidence for evolution than for God.
Good point Todd—Thank you for the comment! The point of this series was to address the fact that the atheistic-neo Darwin/ evolutionists couch their debate as being strictly along a rational and logical path. We often hear about how their “science” is based on observation and not assumption. However, the fact is that their arguments are just as subjective and emotional as those who have religious convictions. You are correct in stating that a faith-based worldview would have to admit to some logical fallacies. However, although authentic Christianity (given a historical biblical perspective) is a rational faith, it is just that—faith. Hope in things not seen. The contrast is that ‘militant’ atheists (which it sounds as if you are not among that world-view) claim to be all logic and yet more often than not are illogical and irrational when attacking anyone who disagrees with them. It doesn’t take much reading of their blogs to observe this. To me, that is a big red flag because their defensiveness betrays weaknesses in their positions. In addition, theirs is a belief system as well—hope in things not seen, as evolution (macro) cannot be observed or repeated and is therefore still a theory—for them a religion. Otherwise, why would they be so vociferous in their attacks? Concerning the evidence for evolution vs. the evidence for God—I would invite you to consider reading some resources such as any book by Lee Strobel, the work of Probe Ministries (in particular the DVD “Redeeming Darwin” and the book Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell). Also—read the science; there is virtually no “evidence” of evolution—it is all theoretical. If you haven’t seen Expelled yet—go rent it. Thanks again for the comment! AJR