It rains because you’re sad.

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

Logicians like to speak in Latin, so they describe the logical fallacy of mistaking correlation for consequence as Post hoc ergo propter hoc (or, in English, “after this, therefore because of this”).

The example I like to use in class is that breakfast doesn’t cause lunch, but here’s my favorite example from pop culture:

 

Extra credit if you resist clicking on any of the suggested Men In Black videos that YouTube offers at the conclusion of this clip.

 

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About davidbdale

What should I call you? I prefer David or Dave, but students uncomfortable with first names can call me Professor or Mister Hodges. My ESL students' charming solution, "Mister David" is my favorite by far.
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1 Response to It rains because you’re sad.

  1. More Money Maintenance's avatar thecommonblackhawk says:

    Challenge accepted

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