Logical Fallacy of Arcane Explanation

The Logical Fallacy of Arcane Explanation occurs when an explanation is proposed that can only be understood by a select group people or is a mystery that no one can understand. This is very similar to appeal to mystery. Some things are difficult to understand. For all things, you must look at the evidence, and, until you do, it will be a mystery to you. However, there are appeals to arcane explanations, saying that there is no way you can understand, so just believe it.

Examples of the Logical Fallacy of Arcane Explanation

Rocky: “What evidence do you have that shows that evolution actually happened?”

Sandy: “Your problem is that you don’t understand science. It can’t be explained easily. You need a PhD in biology to understand it. I don’t even understand it, but the PhDs do. And I trust them.”

The problem is actually that the supposed "evidence" resides in arbitrary assumptions and made-up stories. As Agrippa the skeptic noted thousands of years ago, all secular thinking is based on infinite regress, circular reasoning, or axiomatic thinking. In reality, infinite regress and circular reasonings are just cover-ups for axiomatic thinking. And "axiomatic thinking" is a polite word for "lying."

Fallacy Abuse

Sometimes, unbelievers claim that knowing Christ is an arcane explanation. However, everyone who seeks Christ does find Christ. Everyone who follows Christ is led by Christ. But, unless you are born again you can’t see the Kingdom of God, so it will seem arcane to you even though it is not arcane. Anyone can check it out by simply coming to Jesus in humility and submission. This is very different from saying that there is no way you can understand, so just believe it.