Far-Fetched Hypothesis
Offering a bizarre (far-fetched) hypothesis as the correct explanation without first ruling out more mundane explanations.
THE IDEA
Far-Fetched Hypothesis
A far-fetched hypothesis is accepted as the explanation without adequately comparing it with ordinary alternatives. An explanation’s familiarity or simplicity does not establish its truth; ask how well each account fits the evidence.
The original example statements are missing. The remaining source explanations concern:
Example #1
Terrence and a proposed mythical-creature caper. The author suggests lying as a more ordinary possibility, but this excerpt supplies no evidence establishing that Terrence lied. Other explanations also need consideration.
Example #2
A young-earth creationist’s interpretation of Genesis. The author proposes a nonliteral reading as the alternative. Without the original claim or evidence, the passage does not allow the competing explanation to be assessed.
Ruling out a familiar explanation does not automatically prove an exotic one. The remaining proposal still needs evidence.
When to use it
In scientific research, when interpreting data, one should first consider common confounding factors before proposing exotic theories.
In detective work, the simplest explanation that accounts for the evidence is usually preferred over elaborate conspiracy theories.
In everyday reasoning, avoid jumping to supernatural or unlikely causes before eliminating ordinary possibilities.
Comparing competing accounts of an event by the evidence supporting them and the additional assumptions each requires.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Mythical creature caper theory
The source mentions Terrence and a mythical-creature explanation but omits the original account. Lying is proposed as an ordinary alternative, not established as a fact. The evidence would need to distinguish that possibility from others.
Young-earth creationist's literal interpretation
The author disputes a young-earth creationist interpretation and proposes reading Genesis nonliterally. The original claim is missing, so this fragment illustrates the disagreement without demonstrating which explanation fits.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Can you think of a situation where someone offered a far-fetched explanation without considering simpler ones?
How can you compare ordinary and unusual explanations without treating either as true in advance?
How does this fallacy relate to the scientific principle of falsification?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Logically Fallacious - The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies