Inflation of conflict

Inflation of conflict is when you make it seem as if experts or the evidence are evenly split or in total disagreement when in fact there's broad agreement. That makes it look like "we just don't know" when we often do. Highlighting a few dissenters or a narrow dispute can mislead. The fallacy is to exaggerate disagreement to avoid accepting the consensus. The remedy is to look at the actual distribution of expert opinion and the strength of the evidence.

Examples

• Scientists disagree about climate change.

• Experts are divided on whether vaccines are safe.

• There's debate about evolution.

• Economists can't agree on the policy.

• Doctors disagree about the treatment.