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Wade

Which fallacy is this?

Ina discussion group, someone claimed that the fact that humans have not been to the moon since the last time humans went to the moon was suggestion/proof that it probably had never happened? What fallacy is this? It's not quite false premise or false cause, but...anyway, any ideas?
asked on Thursday, Sep 27, 2018 09:05:09 PM by Wade

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Answers

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Bo Bennett, PhD
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In terms of "proof" this would simply be a non-sequitur .

In terms of "suggests" or "evidence", the fact that we went once and never been back could be more evidence for the fact that we never went then evidence for the fact that we did go. Basically, this comes down to the evaluation of evidence. I do believe that we have been to the moon and I don't question it to the point where I felt the need to research the topic (basically, I really don't care), but I were to investigate this issue specifically, I would look at humanity's other similar explorations to see if it is common that we go somewhere then never go back rather than stay there and continue to explore. Then, of course, look into the official reason(s) why we never went back (funding, risk, nothing more to learn, etc.) and perhaps interview experts on the issue to see if that makes sense.

Bottom line, to suggest since we never went back to the moon is "proof" or even "probably" means we never went is a non-sequitur . To suggest that this evidence on the side of us not going isn't unreasonable , but I couldn't say it is reasonable either without investigation or more information.
answered on Friday, Sep 28, 2018 08:00:16 AM by Bo Bennett, PhD

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