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False, because what evidence do we have to believe X exists in the first place?

Burden of proof lies with the person making the claim that something exists, not someone who is trying to disprove them.
 
On what level are we talking?

Pluto does not exist because I have never seen it?

or

Aliens do not exist because we have never seen them?

Either way, just because you can't prove something exists, doesn't mean it doesn't. Wow, that was a mouthful.

Edit: Voted false.
 
It is impossible to prove that something does not exist according to established scientific methods.
 
Originally posted by: dderidex
Question needs context.
Click to expand...
You need no such thing!
Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
How can you prove, for certain, that something does not exist?
Click to expand...
We're talking concepts of logic, where that is possible. If you start going into what truly exists and the definition of existence, we'll be here a looooooong time.
 
Originally posted by: Evadman
It is impossible to prove that something does not exist according to established scientific methods.
Click to expand...

But the presumption is that it does not until you prove it DOES.

IE., you do not *need* to prove that something does 'not exist', because it is treated as not existing until proven otherwise.
 
Originally posted by: dderidex
Originally posted by: Evadman
It is impossible to prove that something does not exist according to established scientific methods.
Click to expand...

But the presumption is that it does not until you prove it DOES.

IE., you do not *need* to prove that something does 'not exist', because it is treated as not existing until proven otherwise.
Click to expand...

There is a difference between something existing, and something that we are aware that exists.
 
Logically in mathematics it is possible to prove something does not exist. For example, you can prove that a certain number X does not exist in a subset Y of the Real Number Set R.

So, I vote true.
 
cant prove something does exist without proof; you cannot prove something does NOT exist- without proof.
 
Originally posted by: DAGTA
Logically in mathematics it is possible to prove something does not exist. For example, you can prove that a certain number X does not exist in a subset Y of the Real Number Set R.

So, I vote true.
Click to expand...

That only holds true for mathmatics; so I guess we need some clarification on the question.
 
Originally posted by: Howard
THe question in the poll alone makes my head explode. Can you word it in a simpler fashion?

😕 (seriously)
Click to expand...

I was having the same problem... Change unreasonable to reasonable and you should be ok :beer:. Just don't forget to vote the opposite.
 
Originally posted by: Howard
How can you say something doesn't exist BECAUSE you can't prove that it doesn't exist?
Click to expand...

Exactly. Although, how exactly do you go about proving something doesn't exist?
 
Originally posted by: yllus
We're talking concepts of logic, where that is possible. If you start going into what truly exists and the definition of existence, we'll be here a looooooong time.
Click to expand...

Bah, Phil 110 was so long ago, and so boring. Let's delve deeper.
 
Originally posted by: arcenite
Originally posted by: Howard
How can you say something doesn't exist BECAUSE you can't prove that it doesn't exist?
Click to expand...

Exactly. Although, how exactly do you go about proving something doesn't exist?
Click to expand...

Assume it does exist, and find a contradiction.
 
Originally posted by: Evadman
Originally posted by: DAGTA
Logically in mathematics it is possible to prove something does not exist. For example, you can prove that a certain number X does not exist in a subset Y of the Real Number Set R.

So, I vote true.
Click to expand...

That only holds true for mathmatics; so I guess we need some clarification on the question.
Click to expand...

Mathematics is based on rules, and you end up proving that something does not conform to those rules, not that it doesn't exist...

We cannot divide by zero because it does not conform to the laws of mathematics, not simply because it does not exist.



 
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