The absence of data is frequently mistaken for data of absence . . . .. . .
This is one of the most crucial argumentative errors around . . . . . . .
We see it in criminological discussions all the time; for all intents & purposes there is no data about criminology prior to about 1950-1975 . . . . . Which is then mistaken for being data showing that crime was not really an issue prior to the modern collection of high-quality data about criminal activities . . . . .. .
The lack of information does not prove something does not exist, just that there is no data . . . . . . . .
4.09.2008
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