Which informal fallacy is committed in the following argument: Scientists have been trying for centuries to disprove the claims of astrology and none of them has ever succeeded; therefore, we must conclude that astrology's claims are true?
ASlippery slope
BHasty generalisation
CArgumentum ad ignorantiam (appeal to ignorance) ✓ Correct
DFalse cause
Correct answer: (C) Argumentum ad ignorantiam (appeal to ignorance)
Explanation
Treating astrology's claims as true merely because no one disproved them is an appeal to ignorance.
Argumentum ad ignorantiam infers a proposition true from the absence of proof against it.
Failure to disprove a claim is not positive evidence for its truth.
The lack of a successful refutation leaves the claim unproven, not established.
This shifts the burden of proof onto the absence of counter-evidence.
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 →