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top   »  thinking   »  fallacies   »  argument from silence

What is an Argument From Silence?

 , April 21, 2016 updated on January 12, 2017
An argument from silence is a argument based on the absence of evidence. It is often listed as a fallacy. However, in many cases it is more of a weak argument that is somewhat strengthened when evidence would seem overwhelmingly likely.
Arguments From Silence often come up in constitutional law as it is argued that the authors of a constitution would have included additional clauses had they intended a particular activity to be illegal. This often neglects the fact that it was impossible for historical people to foresee the technologies and legal landscape of the future.
It is also common for Arguments From Silence to appear in analysis of history, as an extremely weak argument that if something were true that it would have appeared in a particular historical record.
Overview: Argument From Silence
TypeFallacy
DefinitionA weak argument based on absence of evidence.
ExampleIf advanced extraterrestrial life had visited earth, there would be ample evidence of it.
Related ConceptsFallacies
Logic
Prosecutor's Fallacy

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