Cum Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc
November 8th, 2009
Cum Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc
classification : informal – non causa pro causa
With this, therefore because of this.
Committed when one jumps to a conclusion about causation based on a correlation between two events, or types of event, which occur simultaneously.
Foundations
The fallacy is to assert that because two events occur together, they must be causally related. It’s a fallacy because it ignores other factors that may be the cause(s) of the events.
Examples
Changing lanes in my car causes the rest of the traffic to speed up or slow down.
Other Names
Correlation does not imply causation
Post hoc ergo propter hoc (coincidental correlation)
Spurious relationship
Causality
Chain reaction
Domino effect
© 2009, jhslee. All rights reserved.
Categories: Uncategorized
