Definition
Personal incredulity is a logical fallacy where someone dismisses a claim or argument simply because they find it difficult to understand or believe. The fallacy assumes that if something is hard to grasp, it must not be true.
Examples
Example 1: Science Denial
"I can’t believe how evolution could create such complex life, so it must be false."
Example 2: Technology
"Quantum mechanics just doesn’t make sense to me, so I doubt it’s real science."
Example 3: Everyday Life
"It’s hard to imagine how planes stay in the air. I don’t think it’s possible."
Why It's Flawed
Personal incredulity is flawed because:
- Difficulty understanding something does not make it false
- It relies on ignorance or lack of imagination rather than evidence
- Complex or counterintuitive truths are common in science and life
- It discourages open-minded inquiry
Arguments should be judged by evidence and logic, not by how easy they are to understand.
How to Spot It
Look for these signs of personal incredulity:
- The argument is dismissed because it "doesn’t make sense" to someone
- The speaker appeals to their own ignorance or confusion
- There is little or no engagement with the actual evidence
- Complex ideas are waved away as "impossible" or "absurd"
Example of spotting it: If someone says, "I just can’t believe that’s true," ask if there is actual evidence against the claim.
How to Avoid It
To avoid using or being misled by personal incredulity:
- Recognize that your understanding is not the measure of truth
- Be open to learning about complex or unfamiliar topics
- Seek evidence and expert opinion
- Ask questions rather than dismissing what you don’t understand
When evaluating a claim, focus on the evidence, not just your own intuition.