Chain 19

From Chains of Reason

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

Link 1

Premise 1

An absence of evidence for something could in theory be due to such evidence either not existing, or existing but remaining undiscovered.

Premise 2

Searches for evidence in practice never include literally every possible searchable location, but must instead be selective.

Conclusion

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

External links

• Negative proof - Wikipedia article