Comment by Maximus on Absence of Evidence Is Evidence of Absence · 2019-09-19T21:28:15.755Z · LW · GW

Absence of evidence, actually DOES NOT mean evidence fo absence.

If we consider the simple correlation between the "5column" and the facts of sabotage - of course lack of these acts decrease the probability of existing any hidden power. And it was quite foolhardy of governor to build such case-effect relationship that he had made up, based on this only fact.

But in the wider concept - can we be sure, that ONLY acts of sabotage are the traits of the "5column"? In other words - we have to be more concerned about the information we don't obtain. I really don't know, what traits has "5column", but in the times of war it would be wise to play it safe.