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What is the name of that logical fallacy wherein the de-platforming of a harmful lie is construed as evidence of suppression of a truth?

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Original Question

What is the name of that logical fallacy wherein the de-platforming of a harmful lie is construed as evidence of suppression of a truth?


Example:


Little Johnny starts a campaign to convince everyone in class that math homework is a diabolical deception designed to melt their brains. Johnny’s claims are patently false, but difficult to disprove, and wildly compelling for the other students. The idea gains traction, and the class mutinies.


The teacher, now in damage-control mode, removes Little Johnny from class. As she’s walking him down the hall to detention, Little Sally stands up to address the class, saying, “Isn’t it odd that the teacher would silence Little Johnny instead of arguing with him? This must mean he was right!”


 


 
What logical fallacy is Little Sally guilty of?


 


I've been reading about the following, but not sure how to apply them here:



  • Furtive Fallacy?

  • Cancelling Hypothesis Fallacy?

  • Conspiracy Theory Fallacy?


 


Note:   I'm asking about Little Sally's reasoning -- not Little Johnny's claims I've asked this question in other forums, and for some reason people tend to focus on Little Johnny's claims.  I'm not asking about Little Johnny's claims.   I think we could replace Little Johnny's claims with virtually anything and still have the same conversation about Little Sally's reasoning.  I.e. even if Johnny's claims were true, Sally's reasoning (I think?) is fallacious.

Answers

4

Commenting on a possible reason why such claims as the one Sally made could happen; not the claim itself. 


We could also say that if Johnny's theory becomes popular because it gained traction, then we could say that Sally got convinced by the theory before the censuring. And if true, and if she believed it because many people did, then she could have defended Johnny because she made another conclusion before that via an Appeal to Popularity


She could also been convinced by an Appeal to Consequences . If she doesn't like math, then the truth of Johnny's claim is desirable. 


Of course, that doesn't have to be the case but I'm trying to draw some distinctions. Sally made a conspiracy theory, so that would be her error in reasoning in that claim; but also, she could have made another error in reasoning that prompted her to make a fallacious claim. Just trying to delve more into the problem. 

I believe this is a Non Sequitur Fallacy because the conclusion does not follow the premise.


Logical Form:


Johnny makes claim A.


The teacher didn't debate Johnny's claim.


Therefore, Johnny's claim is true.


 


The conclusion does not follow from the evidence given for the claim. 

Regarding Sally, it appears to be a clear Conspiracy Theory fallacy as the challenge (i.e., removing Johnny for causing harm) is seen as evidence that his claims are true.

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