McqkartGet appPractise

Identify the informal fallacy in the argument: 'No one has ever given an indubitable proof regarding the impossibility of life on Planet X, therefore one can conclude that there is life on Planet X'.

AAppeal to ignorance ✓ Correct
BRed herring
CStraw man
DAppeal to inappropriate authority
Correct answer: (A) Appeal to ignorance
Explanation

The argument is an appeal to ignorance.

It concludes that there is life on Planet X.

The only ground is that its impossibility was never proven.

Failure to disprove a claim is taken as proof of that claim.

Treating absence of counter-proof as evidence is the appeal to ignorance.

Want more like this? Create a free account to practise a full test, track your progress, and get spaced-repetition review.

Practise on Mcqkart →🎓 Book an expert →