What is a fallacy of argument making the unwarranted assumption that because one event follows another, the first event causes the second?

Question

Joey Richardson

Business

1 February, 06:18

What is a fallacy of argument making the unwarranted assumption that because one event follows another, the first event causes the second?

+2

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Talan Morgan · Answer 1

Answer: The correct answer is "false cause".

Explanation: A false cause is a fallacy of argument making the unwarranted assumption that because one event follows another, the first event causes the second.

Better known as the post hoc ergo propter hoc (after this, therefore, because of this) is a fallacy that is based on the misconception that just because one thing happens after another, the first event was one of The causes of the second event. Post hoc reasoning is the basis of many superstitions and wrong beliefs.

Many events follow sequential patterns without being causally related, for example a solar eclipse occurs, a person plays their drums so that the gods return the sun and the sun returns demonstrating the effectiveness of their action. The sun really didn't come back because the person played their drums.