The fallacy of false cause refers to the wrong presumption that because one event comes before another, the previous one must have caused the latter. This error ignores other elements or explanations that could have impacted the result. It basically confuses correlation with causation, which results in poor reasoning and false conclusions.
An original example of the false cause fallacy can be seen in the belief that playing violent video games causes an increase in aggressive behavior. Suppose a statistical analysis reveals a correlation between the playing of violent video games and the occurrence of violent acts, such as physical confrontations or acts of vandalism. Based only on this correlation, one might falsely conclude that playing violent video games leads to aggressive behavior in teenagers. However, this overlooks the underlying factors, such as individual traits, environmental influences, and socioeconomic factors. Additional factors may be involved since a correlation doesn’t always point to a cause-and-effect relationship.
Similarly, the fallacy of false cause can be seen in the case of British scientist Andrew Wakefield, who made up a connection between autism and the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. According to Wakefield’s research, children who receive the MMR vaccine may develop autism spectrum disorder. Later searches, however, completely disproved his conclusions and revealed several scientific errors and conflicts of interest. Wakefield’s false cause fallacy, despite a lack of scientific evidence to support it, caused widespread fear and a drop in vaccination rates, which in turn caused an epidemic of dangerous diseases and harm to the public’s health. In both cases, the mistaken cause fallacy highlights the risks of making quick decisions based only on a temporal sequence without considering different hypotheses or strong proof.
3 thoughts on “Mariia Yarmolenko. False cause”
Reading through these fallacies and especially in the case of Andrew Wakefield’s, it only drives home just how impactful, and I’m sure some would say dangerous many of these fallacies can be if exposed through a large enough platform. Your comparison on the fallacy about video games is also very good and its something that I would go through all the time as a youth that loved playing violent games, but would always get told it wasn’t good, despite being very well behaved. A prime example of this fallacy is often seen in the concept of astrology and how it takes advantage of this fallacy occurring, with statements of how someone’s day may go that are so general, that if anything remotely related to what was stated happens, it feels as if it is connected and was predicted/caused, when in reality whatever happened occurred for various other reasons.
Hey, Mariia first off love the example shown in the image and the fact that you listed and picked a fallacy according to the list. Other than that, I like your explanation on false cause. Your example that you listed on video games causing in an increase in aggressive behavior I really like that. As it really is an example I can relate to, and it sticks to the present and shows your understanding of the topic. Not only is your example great but so is your research and effort you’ve done for this conversation post on British scientist Andrew Wakefield’s.
Hi Mariia,
I like how you explained how the author discusses discusses the impact of fallacies, particularly those involving Andrew Wakefield’s theories, on various aspects of life. They highlight the dangers of these fallacies, particularly in the context of video games and astrology. The author shares personal experiences with these fallacies, highlighting how they can be dangerous if exposed on a large platform. It was ver interesting and it shows an example of fallacy.