[thechat] A balance of opinion.

[Madhu Menon]

At 03:25 PM 25-03-03, Drew Shiel wrote:
>>A connection has not been disproved, either. I'm not saying I believe
>>everything I read in the papers, but here's an interesting read anyway:
>>http://www.iht.com/articles/84885.html
>
>   Isn't proving something not true some kind of logical problem? Or am I 
> remembering something else?

No, you're right. You can't prove a negative. The burden of proof is on the 
person making the assertion. In plain English, I don't have to prove you're 
wrong; you have to prove you're right.

Logical fallacy - Burden of Proof: 
http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/burden-of-proof.html

For instance, here's a debate one might have:

PersonX: I tell you, those purple Martians have really invaded the bodies 
of our politicians. They now control the world.
PersonY: What purple Martians?
PersonX: The mind-controlling Martian freaks who are capable of existing in 
ethereal form and taking over human bodies
PersonY: That's ridiculous. There are no purple Martians that we know of.
PersonX: Yes, there are.
PersonY: We've never found any proof that such creatures exist.
PersonX: Yes, but you've never found any proof they don't! How do you know 
they don't?

See how ridiculous that sounds?

Related fallacy - Begging the question
http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/begging-the-question.html

Regards,

Madhu



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