Visual infographic and fallacy summary: False Cause
Definition & Logical Concept
You assume that because one event followed another, the first event must be the cause of the second.
Practical Debate Example
Speaker A: „Why do you think this crystal therapy helped your headache?“
Speaker B (Fallacy): „I put the crystal in my pocket and the next day my headache was gone. That proves the crystal works!“
How to Counter & Defend
Explain correlation vs causation: 'Your headache could have stopped for many other reasons. Simple timing doesn't prove the crystal caused it.'
Common Synonyms & Alternative Terms
false cause • post hoc ergo propter hoc • logical fallacy • debate manipulation
Psychological Mechanism: Why It Works
Když událost B následuje po A, mozek má silné nutkání interpretovat vztah jako příčinu a následek.
Common Debate Scenarios
- encountering false cause in debate
- when someone says "I put the crystal in my pocket and the next day my headache ..."
Easily Confused With
Informal logical fallacy