Episode 12: Fallacy Watch: the Misplaced Burden of Proof

Send a text

April talks about one of the sneakiest fallacies, the misplaced burden of proof. Here's an example:

Friend: George told me he's not getting the vaccine because it's dangerous.
You: How do you know it's dangerous?
Friend: I'm just telling you what George said. How do you know he's wrong?
You: I...um...what?

Here's what it is, and what to do when it happens to you.

Show Notes:
Here's an explanation of the misplaced burden of proof:
https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/burden-of-proof
In case you want to make a Prove Me Wrong meme, here's the meme generator. Just make sure your audience knows it's a fallacy, please:
https://imgflip.com/memegenerator/140087640/Prove-me-wrong
Here's the amazingly sexist and fallacy-laden interview with Gavin McInness:
https://www.ttbook.org/interview/proud-boys-founder-gavin-mcinnes-youd-be-happier-housewife
The Effectivology website is full of really great articles about fallacies and making good arguments. This is the article I refer to in the episode:
https://effectiviology.com/burden-of-proof/
There's a subtle but important difference between presumption and assumption. This explains it:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/assume-vs-presume