The logical fallacy of rejecting a well-supported conclusion despite overwhelming evidence, usually because accepting it would require uncomfortable changes or challenge cherished beliefs. It's the inverse of hasty generalization: hasty induction jumps to conclusions with too little evidence; slothful induction refuses to reach conclusions despite ample evidence. Classic in climate denial, vaccine skepticism, and any domain where evidence conflicts with identity.
"Ninety-seven percent of climate scientists agree, and the evidence is overwhelming, but I'm just not convinced." That's Slothful Induction Fallacy—refusing to draw the conclusion that all available evidence points to. At some point, skepticism becomes denial, and evidence becomes irrelevant."
by Dumu The Void February 28, 2026
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