divine fallacy (argument from incredulity) - The Skeptic's Dictionary (original) (raw)

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The divine fallacy, or the argument from incredulity, is a species of non sequitur reasoning which goes something like this: I can't figure this out, so a god must have done it. Or, This is amazing; therefore, a god did it. Or, I can't think of any other explanation; therefore, a god did it. Or, this is just too weird; so, a god is behind it.

This fallacy is also a variation of the alien fallacy: I can't figure this out, so aliens must have done it. Or, This is amazing; therefore, aliens did it. Or, I can't think of any other explanation; therefore, aliens did it. Or, this is just too weird; so, aliens are behind it.

Another variation of the fallacy goes something like this: I can't figure this out, so paranormal forces must have done it. Or, This is amazing; therefore, paranormal forces did it. Or, I can't think of any other explanation; therefore, paranormal forces did it. Or, this is just too weird; so, paranormal forces are behind it.

further reading

• Bad Moves: Arguments from incredulity by Julian Baggini

Last updated 14-Jan-2014