false cause

<informal fallacy, causality, theory of fallacy, logic>, <syllogism, rethoric, method, argument, antinomy, demostration, reason, knowledge> the informal fallacy of affirming the presence of a causal relationship on anything less than adequate grounds. Post hoc, ergo propter hoc is a common variety of this fallacy. Example: "After drinking milk for twenty years, Melanie became addicted to cocaine. Therefore, drinking milk caused her cocaine addiction".

[A Dictionary of Philosophical Terms and Names]

<2001-11-29>

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Nearby terms: failure « fallacy « fallibilism « false cause » falsifiability » FAQ » FAQL