Photo credit (edited), fair use
Imagine the following scenario:
Woman: Any man who isn’t outspokenly in support feminism is a misogynist.
Man: [Tired of hearing similarly absurd declarations; stays silent]
Woman: See!? I knew you were prejudiced against women!
The logical fallacy demonstrated here is argumentum e silentio or argument from silence. Regarding this matter, one source states, “Drawing a conclusion based on the silence of the opponent, when the opponent is refusing to give evidence for any reason,” qualifies for this form of unhelpful argumentation.
When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) with clients, I’ll sometimes deliberately remain silent in order to see of this fallacy presents itself. When it does, I then use the moment as an opportunity for psychoeducation. Clarifying the matter, one source adds:
The argument from silence is a pattern of reasoning in which the failure of a known source to mention a particular fact or event is used as the ground of an inference, usually to the conclusion that the supposed fact is untrue or the supposed event did not actually happen.
Understanding this fallacy can assist a person by learning how not to disturb oneself when others don’t react or provide feedback to various claims. Then again, I bet you’re the sort of person who likes upsetting yourself, aren’t you!? See, I knew it! (See what I did there?)
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
Benzoix. (n.d.). Shocked man covering mouth and gasping ambushed witness something scary standing on blue background [Image]. Freepik. Retrieved from https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/shocked-man-covering-mouth-gasping-ambushed-witness-something-scary-standing-blue-background_39726415.htm#fromView=search&page=3&position=3&uuid=8bfebe2d-65d5-496a-8a40-63468414fbc8
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2024, March 28). Distorted inferences. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/distorted-inferences
Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use
Hollings, D. (2023, February 9). Feminism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feminism
Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/
Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching
Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason
Hollings, D. (2023, April 24). On truth. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-truth
Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Psychoeducation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychoeducation
Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
Hollings, D. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance
Logically Fallacious. (n.d.). Argument from silence. Retrieved from https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/logicalfallacies/Argument-from-Silence
McGrew, T. (2014). The argument from silence. The PhilPapers Foundation. Retrieved from https://philpapers.org/rec/MCGTAF-2
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