Definition

1. Noun:
   • The logical fallacy of believing that temporal succession implies a causal relation: This term refers to the error in reasoning where one assumes that because one event happened after another, the first event must have caused the second. It is a common mistake in interpreting sequences of events.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Arguing that the rooster's crowing causes the sun to rise is a classic example of post hoc ergo propter hoc.
  • The politician's claim that the economic downturn began after the new policy, therefore the policy caused it, is a clear case of post hoc ergo propter hoc.

Advanced Usage

• As a critical thinking concept: The term is used to identify and label flawed arguments in debates, academic writing, and everyday reasoning.
  • In his essay, the student correctly identified the author's post hoc ergo propter hoc reasoning and explained why the conclusion was invalid.

Variants and Related Words

• Post hoc fallacy (n): A shortened, more common name for the same logical error.
  • She warned the team against the post hoc fallacy when analyzing the correlation in their data.
• Cum hoc ergo propter hoc (n): A related logical fallacy where one assumes that because two events occur together, one must have caused the other.

Synonyms

• False cause: A general term for fallacies involving incorrect assumptions about causality.
• Coincidental correlation: Describes a relationship where events occur together or in sequence by chance, not due to causation.

Related Phrases

• Correlation does not imply causation: This is the fundamental principle violated by the fallacy. It is a phrase used to remind people that just because two things are related in time or occur together, it does not mean one causes the other.

Noun

1. the logical fallacy of believing that temporal succession implies a causal relation