Tutorial: The Burden of Proof.

[ristin]

Since it came up lately, I thought I'd take an opportunity to explain the burden of proof. Though I doubt any of my regular readers will need it.

The burden of proof refers to whose job it is to prove something when a claim is made. Some say it's on the person making the claim to prove what they are saying is right. Others say it is up to the person hearing the claim to "prove them wrong".

To demonstrate which is correct, here is an example.

"You owe me ten thousand dollars. Pay up."

Is it up to hypothetical-me to prove hypothetical-you has a $10,000 debt, or up to hypothetical-you to prove the claim false and that there is no $10,000 debt?

Obviously the former.

Now this comes up in political and religious debates all the time, with articles of faith like "trickle down economics" and so on. But the same rule applies, the burden of proof falls on the one making the claim.

Case in point, this oft-repeated conversation.
"Obama is a muslim!"
"Wow, really? Prove it."
"No, prove me wrong."
And the matching one about his frequently shown birth certificate.

Or the religious version:
"All my beliefs are true, all yours are false".
"How insulting. Prove it."
"You can't prove my god doesn't exist"
"I don't have to, and you can't prove my god doesn't exist"
*cue the holy war*

Or the similar version vs atheists.

What inspired this exploration of supporting our claims if we want to convince others? You guessed it, exposure to Glen Beck and his completely unsubstantiated historical revisionism and alternative version of reality.

Thanks for listening.

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

Comments

[rav-bunneh.livejournal.com]

All of that is a small portion of why I need to get out of the US :/

[ristin.livejournal.com]

I see it from a lot of groups and a lot of places. While writing that I had to try hard not to make it sound too specific against any one political or religious group.

[guma-kawauso.livejournal.com]

I can prove and disprove the Obama and Muslim ties, but it also relies on interpretation of religious work, specifically the Koran. My thought, however is that I don't think it matters either way.

Evidence to Disprove: If Obama was a Muslim why on Earth would he have been a regular at Jeremiah Wright's Trinity United Church in Christ (a Christian megachurch) from 1984 to 2008. You may recall his attendance with the church was called into question because Wright was a controversial firebrand preacher during those years. Common sense would dictate that a Muslim would not be a congregant of a Christian megachurch for close to 24 years.

Evidence to Prove: According to soem interpretations of the Koran, if a single parent is Muslim, then the children are Muslim too (Sahih Muslim, Book 033, number 6426). His father was born Muslim, and some would consider the linage good enough to render him a Muslim even if his father committed ridda/aposty twice; once to become a Catholic (this was also before he met and married Stanely Ann Dunham), second to become an atheist.

[ristin.livejournal.com]

I am glad the " he is a muslim" thing has something going for it. I thought it was 100% lies and mudslinging.

[guma-kawauso.livejournal.com]

Rally suggested another way: Ask the White House staff if he ever eats bacon. The law in that logic is that I don't think Michelle is very "pro-bacon" being the heath-but and all. XDD

[ristin.livejournal.com]

True, though that's more "prove he's not" territory. "We haven't seen him eat pork so he might be on a halal diet and not disproven to be muslim."

[guma-kawauso.livejournal.com]

Hehe. I think the whole thing is silly. He is what he wants to be and it's not any of my business... except to maybe poke fun at on occasion.

[schnee.livejournal.com]

The burden of proof refers to whose job it is to prove something when a claim is made.

No, it's not. Prove me wrong! ;)

[ristin.livejournal.com]

Maybe you have a point...

Which means, time to give me my $10,000. Thanks!

[schnee.livejournal.com]

Here you go — you'll have to print it for yourself though. ;)

[ristin.livejournal.com]

I meant $Aus which are worth more than $USD at the moment. :P

[schnee.livejournal.com]

Just print two. ;)

[ristin.livejournal.com]

Sweet deal! ^_^

[silent-o.livejournal.com]

According to some, Obama is a "half-breed muslin".

He's a fabric?

[ristin.livejournal.com]

Indeed.

That reminds me of the various "hail satin" incidents, some were incompetent wannabe satanists (extra incompetent because satanists don't hail Satan at all) and some were people trying to make their church look persecuted but didn't want to write hail Satan so deliberately misspelt it. Both as daft as each other.

Actually no, the fail-satanists would be dafter come to think of it.