Hypothesis Contrary to Fact

Hypothesis Contrary to Fact	Close Window

	Hypothesis contrary to fact is when someone argues that things would have turned out differently if only their position was accepted. For instance, "We'd never have all this crime if Bob Dole was president." This is unknowable because Bob Dole isn't president.

Explanation:

Essentially, it is not possible to know what isn't or what never was. Notice that this is also very hard to argue against because just as there is no evidence for the assertion, neither is there any evidence against it. This is why it's use is tempting by the propagandist, and why it is irrelevant to any argument.

Examples:

(i) If Abraham Lincoln were alive today, he would agree with me.

(ii) Poverty would be a much worse problem in this country had we not implemented the programs of the Johnson administration.

Proof:

Show that the assertion is unknowable as it is merely hypothetical and completely untestable.

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