The assumption of a conclusion or fact based primarily on lack of evidence to the contrary. Usually best described by, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.”
Examples:
- Although we have proven that the moon is not made of spare ribs, we have not proven that its core cannot be filled with them; therefore, the moon’s core is filled with spare ribs.
Synonyms: appeal to ignorance, appeal to mystery [form of], black swan fallacy [form of], toupee fallacy [form of]