1. By: Haley Ford
Appeal To Ignorance

2. Appeal to ignorance Short definition
FALLACY
APPEAL TO IGNORANCE
Short definition
No evidence is given, so we can believe otherwise
Long Definition
Since we can't prove something is true then we are entitled to believe it is false; or vice-versa
form
It’s not proven, thus it is false
Appeal to ignorance

3. Universal Example

4. Example from the crucible
Act III page 77
Martha Corey's voice: “I am innocent to a witch I know not what a witch is.”
Hathorne: “How do you know, then, that you are not a witch.”

5. Explanation
Explanation: Martha Corey is someone who doesn’t know what a witch is, she has no evidence to support that she is not a witch. Therefore, Hathorne says she might be a witch.

6. Example 2 from the crucible
Act III page 103
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!”

7. Explanation
Hale is implying that by not denying her innocence Abigail is guilty. Since, there is no evidence that she is innocent, she is guilty.

8. Example 3 From the Crucible
Act IV pages
Proctor: “No-no I have signed it. You have seen me. It is done! You have no need for this.”
Parris: “Proctor, the village! Must have proof that…”
Proctor: “Damn the village! I confess to god and god has seen my name on this! It is enough!”

9. Explanation
Parris is stating the fact that, without evidence to show the citizens of Salem, the story Proctor has stated is completely invalid. If there is no evidence in favor of his statements, his statements were never spoken in the eyes of the court.

10. Sources
Rubin, Steve. "fallacies from chapter 4." Santa Rosa junior college. distance education office, 30 January Web. 21 Feb 2013.
Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. London: Penguin Classics, 2003