ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE
IS
EVIDENCE OF ABSENCE
Let's start with what we mean by evidence. Evidence is that event of discovery which increases one's degree of belief in a second event. Now, note that this increase can vary from one hard to perceive to a maximum and that the original and resulting degrees of belief can be expressed as probabilities. Example: We take the probability of a Sasquatch as zero until a friend who we trust tell us he has seen one. We now think there is a small chance they do exist. We have uncovered evidence in this friend's testimony.
Now, consider absence of evidence as the negation or complement of that evidence; and consider absence as the negative of what we have evidence for. From these definitions and a little reasoning, remembering a negative of a negative is a positive, we are led to the conclusion of the title. For the mathematically inclined, the use of elementary probablility and algebra makes the reasoning easier. Check out http:oyhus.no/AbsenceOfEvidence.html.
Let me throw out here another example of nonsensical use of the language. A "mirror image" is not the same as a copy. Just look in the mirror; your right hand is the mirror image's left hand. There are real needs to deal with mirror images of one kind of another, so let's get it right. And remember, there is no proof in the pudding; the proof of the pudding is in the eating of the pudding.
IS
EVIDENCE OF ABSENCE
Let's start with what we mean by evidence. Evidence is that event of discovery which increases one's degree of belief in a second event. Now, note that this increase can vary from one hard to perceive to a maximum and that the original and resulting degrees of belief can be expressed as probabilities. Example: We take the probability of a Sasquatch as zero until a friend who we trust tell us he has seen one. We now think there is a small chance they do exist. We have uncovered evidence in this friend's testimony.
Now, consider absence of evidence as the negation or complement of that evidence; and consider absence as the negative of what we have evidence for. From these definitions and a little reasoning, remembering a negative of a negative is a positive, we are led to the conclusion of the title. For the mathematically inclined, the use of elementary probablility and algebra makes the reasoning easier. Check out http:oyhus.no/AbsenceOfEvidence.html.
Let me throw out here another example of nonsensical use of the language. A "mirror image" is not the same as a copy. Just look in the mirror; your right hand is the mirror image's left hand. There are real needs to deal with mirror images of one kind of another, so let's get it right. And remember, there is no proof in the pudding; the proof of the pudding is in the eating of the pudding.
