Examples of Causal Fallacies Flashcards
“For want of a nail, a shoe was lost; for want of a shoe, a horse was lost; for want of a horse, a general was lost; for want of a general, the battle was lost; for want of a victory, of the war was lost; for want of peace, the kingdom was lost. A blacksmith’s nail caused the downfall of the French Empire.” This is an example of what fallacy?
Insufficient Cause
“With the 1960’s came legalized pornography, the portrayal of sex and violence on TV and film. Our youth, exposed to such immorality from a very tender age, have lost all contact with goodness and decency. They have been corrupted by philistine philosophies and pornographic art. All morality has been destroyed.” This is an example of what fallacy?
Insufficient Cause
A doctor was trying to find why a woman had a drug addiction. She mentioned that she was abused as a child. This is an example of what fallacy?
Insufficient Cause
“Several surveys have established that the incidence of juvenile delinquency
among children from broken homes is almost four times higher than the incidence
of juvenile delinquency in homes never broken by divorce. The cause of juvenile
delinquency is the breakdown of traditional family structure, instanced primarily
in a high rate of divorce corresponding to the rate of increase of juvenile
delinquency.” This is an example of what fallacy?
Multiple Causation
“The primary cause of air pollution in this country is the internal combustion
engine. If we can find a way to reduce significantly the pollutants put into the air
by our motor vehicles, we will have solved the problem of air pollution.” This is an example of what fallacy?
Multiple Causation
The media makes young women to be self conscious of their bodies. If we eliminate the media, young girls’ self-esteem will go up. This is an example of what fallacy?
Multiple Causation
Obesity is caused by Burger King. If we eliminate Burger King, we can reduce obesity. This is an example of what fallacy?
Multiple Causation
“I prayed for my Mother’s cancer to heal and, low and behold, it is now in remission! Lord have mercy! Jesus took away my Mom’s cancer!” This is an example of what fallacy?
Post Hoc
“Surveys indicate that 90% of all heroin addicts first used marijuana. A report issued by
the Surgeon General has determined, therefore, that the use of marijuana leads to the use
of heroin. If you smoke marijuana, you will eventually become a heroin addict.” This is an example of what fallacy?
Post Hoc
Every time I take a shower, the phone rings. Therefore, since I’m dying to talk to somebody right now, I should jump in the shower. This is an example of what fallacy?
Post Hoc
“Members of Phi Beta Kappa have been shown to attain far higher incomes than the
average college graduate. If you’re invited to join, don’t pass up the chance – it could
add a lot to your earning capacity.” This is an example of what fallacy?
Substitution of Sign for Cause
Research suggests that children who eat too much candy and chocolate may be more likely to be arrested for violent crimes as adults. This is an example of what fallacy?
Substitution of Sign for Cause
"time" First A(happen),Later B(then this happened),therefore A caused B
Post Hoc
“correlation” doesn’t equal causation
substitution of sign for cause
