Post Hoc; Ergo, Propter Hoc
False Cause
The post hoc; ergo, propter hoc fallacy occurs when the cause/effect relationship is inaccurate or nonexistent.Â
Basically, users of the fallacy incorrectly assume that A is the cause of B. The fallacy can come in the form of:
An inaccurate assumption of cause and effect.
A causal oversimplification where one assumes that one cause is responsible for an effect when, in fact, multiple causes are responsible.
A hasty conclusion that notes that, because of similar timing between two entities, one must have caused the other.Â
Example: "We never had any nuclear weapons before women got the right to vote; therefore, women are responsible for the development of nuclear weapons."
This actually isn't a logical fallacy. Women are to blame. 😂 j/k
Seriously, don't get mad at me. I'm 100% joking.
Example: Kelly has amazing handwriting. Kelly also wears high-heeled shoes. Because Kelly wears high-heeled shoes, she has calligraphy-like handwriting.
Obviously.
Example: I didn't get any sleep last night because the train came past my house several times, blasting its horn.
Actually, the train always comes by several times each night and toots its horn. I always sleep right through it. I got no sleep last night because I drank a cup of coffee before going to bed, and the caffeine kept me awake.
Example: Obviously, the methane escaping from cows is responsible for climate change.
This is an over-simplification. Climate change has many causes, some of them natural and some human-made. Burning of fossil fuels, aerosol sprays, and methane escaping from the butts of cows are just a few of the many causes.
Example: Bacon, cigarettes, and booze = long life?
NO. Nope. False cause, here.