High School

Identify and explain the logical fallacy described as "arguing that if one thing happens at the same time as another, it was caused by the thing with which it coincides," which is referred to by the Latin phrase "cum hoc ergo propter hoc."

Answer :

Post hoc ergo propter hoc is a logical fallacy that mistakes coincidence for causation, falsely claiming one event caused another just because it occurred earlier.

The logical fallacy post hoc ergo propter hoc is a common error in reasoning where one presumes that a temporal sequence equals causation. The fallacious argument goes as follows: because Event A occurred before Event B, it is concluded that Event A caused Event B. This can often be seen in historical analyses or everyday reasoning where coincidences in timing lead to incorrect assumptions about cause and effect.

An example of this fallacy might include reasoning such as, "I took a vitamin and then felt better, so the vitamin made me well." While it is true the vitamin was taken prior to the improvement in health, it cannot be concluded with certainty that the vitamin caused the improvement without further evidence.

This fallacy is also known as the false causality or coincidental correlation, highlighting the mistake of connecting events merely because of their sequential occurrence without considering other possible factors.