Argumentum Ad Probationem

The classic "you are proving my point" fallacy—a form of Argumentum Ad Te where the responder claims that the opponent's response, tone, or very engagement demonstrates the truth of the original position. "You're proving my point by getting angry." "Your response proves exactly what I was saying." The move turns any engagement into evidence against you: if you respond emotionally, you're proving their point about emotionalism; if you respond calmly, you're proving their point about detachment; if you don't respond, you're proving their point about avoidance. It's a rhetorical trap with no exit—any response is reframed as confirmation. The fallacy lies in treating engagement as evidence, rather than addressing what's actually said.

Argumentum Ad Probationem "I calmly explained why I disagreed. Response: 'See? You're proving my point by being so defensive.' That's Argumentum Ad Probationem—using my engagement as evidence, not addressing my arguments. Defensive? I was calm. But even if I were defensive, that doesn't address my points. It's a trap: any response proves them right."

by Dumu The Void March 3, 2026

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Law of Plausibility and Possible Probability

A framework for evaluating the plausibility and probability of phenomena that seem supernatural, paranormal, or otherwise beyond ordinary explanation—such as spiritual experiences with gods (dreams, visions, visitations), levitation when no one is watching, or other anomalous events. The law proposes that such phenomena should not be dismissed outright but evaluated along multiple dimensions: internal consistency (does the account make sense on its own terms?), external coherence (does it align with known facts?), source reliability (is the witness credible?), and explanatory power (does it explain what needs explaining?). The law also acknowledges that probability is not static—what seems impossible today may become plausible tomorrow as understanding expands. The Law of Plausibility and Possible Probability doesn't prove such phenomena real; it provides a framework for taking them seriously without requiring belief.

Example: "She'd had vivid dreams of a goddess for years—not hallucinations but experiences, real to her, transformative. Skeptics dismissed them as imagination. The Law of Plausibility and Possible Probability offered another view: internally consistent, externally coherent with her life, source reliable (her own experience), explanatory (it explained her peace). Not proof, but plausibility. She didn't need belief; she needed the space to consider that some things might be real even if unproven."

by Dumu The Void February 19, 2026

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Pixel, Probably.

Someone who's just really stupid, brain empty, just absolutely dumbfounded.

Dude, you're pixel, probably.

by waga baga bingo bobo October 30, 2021

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No, probably not... But still!

Or maybe! That very well may (in fact) be the case.

Hym "No, probably not... But still! Which is why your kind need to be treated with and extreme and vigorous skepticism"

by Hym Iam January 18, 2024

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Yeah, probably a good idea

That's the 3rd time you've silenced me. So it's 3 to 0 now. My mind I your meat Gundam did make you improve but I still haven't gotten to use anybody else's did.

Hym "Rate Exceeded? Fun. But we're back! But yeah, probably a good idea. As I was saying...."

by Hym Iam July 3, 2025

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