Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c6.67

c6.67

A few words may be said about the argument from silence, and the second example will illustrate them. Some matter, say A, is mentioned, and nothing is said about another matter, say B; and the question is, whether the silence regarding B proves anything against it. If B is closely connected with or directly related to A, it would naturally arise with A, and we should expect to hear of it along with A, so that, if it is not mentioned, the silence is strange and is cogent evidence against B. But if B is apart from A and has no concern with it, there is no reason why it should ordinarily be mentioned with A, so that the silence is natural and indicates nothing. The criterion is, whether in the particular circumstances silence is unnatural or not. If unnatural, it is significant; if natural, it has no significance in this respect.