What does 'Appeal to Ignorance' imply in a debate?

'Appeal to Ignorance' is a logical fallacy that asserts that a proposition is true because it has not yet been proven false, or vice versa. This reasoning is flawed because the absence of evidence does not necessarily confirm or refute a claim. When someone argues that a lack of evidence for one side means the opposite must be true, they are relying on this fallacy.

In debates, this tactic may be used when one party insists that their position is correct simply because the opponent cannot provide definitive evidence to disprove it. This creates a false dichotomy where the discussion is framed wrongly, making it seem like there are only two sides to a matter, one of which is evidently true solely because the other side is not proven. Understanding this fallacy helps debaters recognize flawed reasoning and strengthens their argumentative skills.