The Appeal To Ignorance: Uncover A Pitfall From This Hidden Bias
Clients rely on social media to explain complex health issues, which sets the stage for logical fallacies to thrive. Here are some practical ways for you to counter this logical fallacy.
As healthcare professionals, we strive to make evidence-based decisions that improve access and outcomes for people with diabetes. But what happens when how we interpret evidence—or the absence of it—introduces bias into our client’s lives and our practice?
One subtle but powerful cognitive bias is the Appeal to Ignorance fallacy. If left unexamined, it can influence how we evaluate new treatment approaches, interpret research findings, and guide our patients toward informed choices. This is especially true as people leave factual health journalism and rely on social media to explain complex health issues.
What is the Appeal to Ignorance?
The Appeal to Ignorance (or argument from ignorance) happens when a claim is assumed to be true simply because it hasn’t been proven false—or vice versa. Rather than relying on actual evidence, this fallacy shifts the burden of proof onto the person questioning the claim.
How Does This Show Up in Diabetes Care?
This logical fallacy can subtly shape clinical decision-making and patient beliefs in ways we may not always recognize. For example:
Dismissing New Approaches Without Full Evidence: “There’s no large-scale study proving that inclusive diabetes care works, so it must not be valid.”
Using Existing Research to Shut Down Debate: “There’s a lot of evidence linking weight and health, so approaches that don’t focus on weight must be wrong.”
Assuming No News is Good News: A patient might think, “My provider didn’t mention complications, so I must be fine.” This is especially problematic as fewer and fewer clients have access to accurate diabetes education.
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But a lack of evidence isn’t proof of ineffectiveness, and it certainly isn’t proof that an alternative approach is wrong. It simply means more research is needed. This is especially true in weight-inclusive diabetes care.
Gaps and Questions Healthcare Professionals Might Ask
A thoughtful clinician reading this might wonder:
If there isn’t enough research yet on an inclusive diabetes care approach, how do I decide whether to use it in practice?
How do I balance emerging evidence that weight stigma is impacting access to care with well-established guidelines when recommending treatment?
What role do weight-neutral approaches play in diabetes management, and are there case studies demonstrating their harm?
How do I educate patients about logical fallacies without undermining their confidence in trusted medical advice?
These are important questions, and they highlight why critical thinking is essential in diabetes care.
Actionable Steps to Overcome This Fallacy
Addressing the Appeal to Ignorance in clinical practice requires individual reflection and systemic change. Here’s how we can start:
Examine Your Own Biases: Do I dismiss an approach due to a genuine lack of evidence or because I haven't looked deeper? Seek out research before forming a strong stance. If you are looking for evidence supporting a weight-inclusive approach, subscribe to Inclusive Diabetes Care and automatically receive our 16-page called Research Supporting A Weight-Inclusive Approach for medical professionals trying to prevent or manage diabetes.
Stay Up to Date With Emerging Evidence: Diabetes care constantly evolves. Stay informed about weight-focused approaches and remain curious about how weight-neutral approaches would be practical.
Acknowledge Knowledge Gaps Openly: Patients appreciate transparency. Instead of defaulting to existing models, try saying: "This is an area where research is still developing, but here’s what we do know."
Encourage Patients to Evaluate Claims Critically: Guide them in spotting logical fallacies in media, diet trends, and marketing claims about diabetes treatments. Remind them that many ‘amazing’ products and treatments can be expensive and ineffective in the long term.
Foster Interdisciplinary Dialogue: Collaborate with dietitians, endocrinologists, and behavioral health specialists to ensure diverse perspectives shape your approach to diabetes care.
Why This Matters for Inclusive Diabetes Care
Overcoming the Appeal to Ignorance is more than an intellectual exercise—it’s a step toward making diabetes care more inclusive, effective, and patient-centered.
When we allow space for emerging evidence, acknowledge uncertainty where appropriate, and guide patients toward informed decision-making, we create an environment where care is driven by curiosity, compassion, and evidence—not assumptions.
This is the kind of care people with diabetes deserve.
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