Yet another person who doesn't understand the basics of logic in that you fundamentally cannot prove a negative. You have to prove the positive. If the positive cannot be proven then it has to be assumed that the negative is true.
Is there proof of successful human cloning? No, thus it is assumed using basic logic that humans have not yet been successfully cloned.
Bud, we're saying there is lack of positive knowledge. Chill.
Why chatgpt will replace you
“If the positive cannot be proven, then the negative must be true” is a classic logical mistake called an argument from ignorance (appeal to ignorance).
Why it’s wrong
Just because something hasn’t been proven true doesn’t mean it’s false. It may simply mean:
There isn’t enough evidence yet.
The tools to test it don’t exist yet.
The claim is unfalsifiable.
Likewise, not being able to prove something false doesn’t make it true.
Simple Example
Claim:
“There is intelligent life somewhere else in the universe.”
We cannot currently prove this is true.
But that doesn’t mean the negative is automatically true (“There is no intelligent life anywhere else”).
We simply don’t know yet.
Another Example
Claim:
“There are 100 trillion stars in the observable universe.”
If someone can’t prove that exact number, it doesn’t mean the opposite number is true. It just means the claim isn’t established.
What’s logically correct?
In formal reasoning, the correct position when something cannot be proven is:
The claim remains unproven.
It does not automatically flip to the opposite.
When can the negative be assumed?
There’s one important exception:
In law and science, the burden of proof lies on the person making the claim.
For example:
In court: if guilt cannot be proven beyond reasonable doubt → the verdict is “not guilty.”
(Not the same as “innocent,” but the negative position is adopted procedurally.)
But that’s a rule of decision-making, not a rule of logic.
25 Comments
LORDSMEGMA@sh.itjust.works · 21 pts · 171d
In my opinion, humans have been cloned. However, that does not change the fact that humans have never been cloned.
MisterNeon@lemmy.world · 17 pts · 171d
How is this framed as an "opinion"? It has either happened or not, thus becoming a question of "fact".
Daft_ish@lemmy.dbzer0.com · -13 pts · 171d
Are you a clone?
Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe · 8 pts · 171d
I am a meat popsicle
AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 171d
Do identical twins not count?
DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works · 9 pts · 171d
"In your opinion, do aliens exist in Area 51?"
Daft_ish@lemmy.dbzer0.com · -3 pts · 171d
No
Thedogdrinkscoffee@lemmy.ca · 9 pts · 171d
Nemo@midwest.social · 6 pts · 171d
Why would this be a matter of opinion?
Daft_ish@lemmy.dbzer0.com · -3 pts · 171d
Because how could you ever know?
Nemo@midwest.social · 7 pts · 171d
A) if someone succeeded at this, they'd brag about it as soon as possible and
2] not knowing still wouldn't make it a matter of opinion
Daft_ish@lemmy.dbzer0.com · -5 pts · 171d
Its so weird. I just like, look up the word opinion and youre like entirely wrong.
What are we doing here?
On both counts, entirely wrong.
Is everyone here a fucking clone and I'm just oblivious?
LORDSMEGMA@sh.itjust.works · 6 pts · 171d
An opinion would be should humans be cloned. That's a subjective answer. Whether or not humans have been cloned is objective.
Daft_ish@lemmy.dbzer0.com · -4 pts · 171d
Thats an entirely different question.
Nemo@midwest.social · 3 pts · 170d
That's a terrible definition, where did you get it? (This is my opinion, you understand.)
Merriam-Webster has a much better set of definitions, if you want to compare. (Another opinion!) Though while you're there maybe also look up clone?
Daft_ish@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 0 pts · 170d
All of these work
Can you just say you didnt like my phrasing and move on already?
Nemo@midwest.social · 2 pts · 170d
I did say I didn't like your phrasing. Several times, now.
Daft_ish@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 170d
Ok, got it. Message received. Be gone.
Crankenstein@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 171d
Yet another person who doesn't understand the basics of logic in that you fundamentally cannot prove a negative. You have to prove the positive. If the positive cannot be proven then it has to be assumed that the negative is true.
Is there proof of successful human cloning? No, thus it is assumed using basic logic that humans have not yet been successfully cloned.
Daft_ish@lemmy.dbzer0.com · -3 pts · 171d
Bud, we're saying there is lack of positive knowledge. Chill.
Why chatgpt will replace you
“If the positive cannot be proven, then the negative must be true” is a classic logical mistake called an argument from ignorance (appeal to ignorance).
Why it’s wrong
Just because something hasn’t been proven true doesn’t mean it’s false. It may simply mean:
There isn’t enough evidence yet.
The tools to test it don’t exist yet.
The claim is unfalsifiable.
Likewise, not being able to prove something false doesn’t make it true.
Simple Example
Claim: “There is intelligent life somewhere else in the universe.”
We cannot currently prove this is true.
But that doesn’t mean the negative is automatically true (“There is no intelligent life anywhere else”).
We simply don’t know yet.
Another Example
Claim:
“There are 100 trillion stars in the observable universe.”
If someone can’t prove that exact number, it doesn’t mean the opposite number is true. It just means the claim isn’t established.
What’s logically correct?
In formal reasoning, the correct position when something cannot be proven is:
The claim remains unproven.
It does not automatically flip to the opposite. When can the negative be assumed?
There’s one important exception:
In law and science, the burden of proof lies on the person making the claim.
For example:
In court: if guilt cannot be proven beyond reasonable doubt → the verdict is “not guilty.”
(Not the same as “innocent,” but the negative position is adopted procedurally.)
But that’s a rule of decision-making, not a rule of logic.
Amnesigenic@lemmy.ml · 4 pts · 171d
Not helping your credibility
mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 170d
Found the AI chud.
Instead of wasting our collective time asking extremly stupid questions, why not instead spend your time just licking more boots in silence?
Daft_ish@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 170d
Wtf are you talking about. Get lost
notsosure@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 171d
No
Zwuzelmaus@feddit.org · 4 pts · 171d
Hasn't Mary Shelley written a paper about it?