The Crucible logical fallacy project By: Kaleigh Gumm

Appeal to Ignorance Appeal to ignorance is when someone uses the lack of someone's knowledge or information on a subject as proof that their conclusion is accurate.

Universal Example So why is this an example of Appeal to ignorance? The cartoon depicts a news reporter pointing at the evidence that home schooling is bad. Since there is no evidence to counter act his claim that home schoolers are hiding something his claim must be true. So in other words he is using the lack of evince as proof for his claim.

Another Universal example What makes this an example of appeal to ignorance? The cartoon depicts two men arguing over a point. One man claims that its safer to drive airplanes on the ground than to fly them. While another says that there is no proof that its safer to drive airplanes on the ground therefore, it much be safer.

Example from The Crucible Why is this an example of appeal to ignorance? Mrs. Putnam believes that her children were murdered by Rebecca nurse her midwife to all of them because there is no evidence that indicates that they ere not murdered. Mrs. Putnam: “… I have laid seven babies baptized in the Earth and now this year my Ruth, my only… Send her to your Tituba.”

Another example from The Crucible Why is this an example of Appeal to ignorance? John proctor is making fun of the ridiculous accusations against Mrs. Proctor when she was questioned about having a poppet in her house. He is saying that a five legged dragon lives in his house. Since no one has ever seen it then it has to be true. John Proctor: “There might also be a dragon with five legs in my house, but no one has ever seen it.”

Another example from The crucible Danforth: “You deny every scrap and title of this?” Abigail: “If I must answer that, sir, I will leave and I will not come back again.” Hale: “She does not deny it, Mr. Danforth, she does not deny it!” (Act III page 103) How is this an example? Hale believe that Abigail is guilty because she does not deny her innocence. Since there is no evidence that proves that she Is innocent she is guilty.

Citations/ sources Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. London: Penguin Classics, 2003 Hanks, Dr. Craig. "Appeal to Ignorance." Texas State University. Department of Philosophy. Web. 14 march.2015. Bluedorn, Nathaniel. "Newspaper Logic: Akron Beacon Journal Attack on Homeschooling." Fallacy Detective. Mary Jo Tate. Cartoon, 10 Oct. 2004. Web. 16 march.2015. Bennett, Bo. “Argument from Ignorance”. Logically Fallacious. Achieboy Holding, LLC, 2013. web. 13 march.2015.