Appeal To Ignorance

Appeal to ignorance is the reasoning error where a claim is treated as true because it has not been disproved, or false because it has not been proved. In 185.魔鬼出没的世界：关于阴谋论、UFO与科学精神, the hosts use it to explain why UFO, alien, pyramid, and miracle claims often move the burden of proof onto the skeptic.

The concept matters because “you cannot prove it is not true” is not evidence. Scientific Skepticism asks what observable difference the claim makes, which alternatives explain the data, and whether the claim can survive independent checks.

Key Claims

• Lack of disproof does not establish truth.
• Lack of proof does not always establish falsehood either; sometimes the right conclusion is suspended judgment.
• The fallacy is especially durable when paired with Conspiracy Theory Pattern Seeking, because every missing fact can become a sign of cover-up.

Connections

• Garage Dragon Test - Sagan-style example of an unfalsifiable claim.
• UFO Conspiracy Culture - claim environment where the fallacy recurs.
• Scientific Skepticism and Observation Before Inference - guardrails against burden shifting.
• Rational Humility - willingness to say “not enough evidence” instead of pretending closure.