Logical Fallacy of the Day: Unfalsifiability and Fact

GaoLu

Example 1

Alleged Fact: George has green antenna sticking out of his head.

Go ahead, prove that wrong.

Example 2

A. Trump lied when he said XYZ. It is a fact unless you can prove it isn't true.
B. Bill lied when he said ABC. It is a fact unless you can prove it is not true.

Advice:
Never assume you must be right simply because you can’t be proven wrong.

GaoLu

Let me add, don't be so foolish as to believe someone else's facts when they cannot be proven true or false (no, Bill, internet links to political fake-news mills are not "proofs" for most of us).

[Deleted User]

@GaoLu said:
Example 1
Alleged Fact: George has green antenna sticking out of his head.
Go ahead, prove that wrong.

First of all, this is not an alleged FACT, but rather a claim, and if made without any further substantiating information, it is an assumption

This claim could easily be proven to be either correct or false ... for example, by means of a genuine photo (not a software manipulated one) showing George's head.

Example 2
A. Trump lied when he said XYZ. It is a fact unless you can prove it isn't true.
B. Bill lied when he said ABC. It is a fact unless you can prove it is not true.

See above ... in each of these two cases, by itself, the statements are not facts ... they are as such only claims. Proof whether these claims by someone are a lie or the truth could be provided, if what was said by Trump or by Bill has been recorded and is thus documented.

GaoLu

@Wolfgang said:

@GaoLu said:
Example 1
Alleged Fact: George has green antenna sticking out of his head.
Go ahead, prove that wrong.

First of all, this is not an alleged FACT, but rather a claim, and if made without any further substantiating information, it is an assumption

Right. That was the point. To further elucidate: To Bill's credit he gives supporting information--links on the internet to hate-the-President sources. That is less trustworthy than nothing at all.

This claim could easily be proven to be either correct or false ... for example, by means of a genuine photo (not a software manipulated one) showing George's head.

Right. That would seem possible.

Example 2
A. Trump lied when he said XYZ. It is a fact unless you can prove it isn't true.
B. Bill lied when he said ABC. It is a fact unless you can prove it is not true.

See above ... in each of these two cases, by itself, the statements are not facts ... they are as such only claims. Proof whether these claims by someone are a lie or the truth could be provided, if what was said by Trump or by Bill has been recorded and is thus documented.

Right. If true. In most cases, the likelihood of truth is very small or highly suspect, but Bill is all over it like it was manna from heaven. He even says he believes it. [Recently I was walking along a horse trail and was amazed at how flies would attack fresh horse droppings. That seems to be an excellent illustration of this principle.]

As you clearly understand, those are logical fallacies.