Self-refuting idea
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Revision as of 00:36, 3 November 2009
Proving too much is the logical fallacy[1] of drawing a conclusion that is too broad, therefore conflicting with other propositions that are either known to be true or a logical prerequisite to the proposition itself. Generally, this arises when someone intentionally tries to sound intelligent but their vagueness betrays their lack of knowledge or expertise.[2]
It can be summed up in the medieval adage, quod nimis probat, nihil probat: "what proves too much, proves nothing".
Some examples
- "Nothing can be known for certain."
- This proposition proves too much by casting doubts about itself, because the truth about the statement itself cannot be known for certain.
- "Nothing you find on a wiki is true."
- This proposition proves too much by invalidating itself, because if true the statement is false, since it appears on a wiki.
- "Human beliefs stem from wish fulfillment not evaluation of evidence."
- This proposition proves too much by discrediting itself, as it is a human belief, and therefore must be based on wish-fulfillment not evidence.
- "Statements which are not empirically testable are meaningless."
- This proposition (otherwise known as logical positivism), proves too much by invalidating itself, because the statement itself is not empirically testable, and is therefore meaningless by its own criterion.
- "Nothing outside the Bible is trustworthy."
- This proposition proves too much by invalidating itself, because the proposition itself appears outside of the Bible.
- "There is no objective reality."
- This proposition proves too much by invalidating itself, because the statement tacitly makes an assertion about the objective world (i.e. if you believe there is an objective reality, you're making an objectively false statement).