affirming the consequent
"Affirming the consequent" is a common logical fallacy where the presence of a result is incorrectly used to infer the presence of a specific cause.
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Definition
C1Logic
(technical, academic)A logical mistake where one incorrectly concludes that a cause is true because its effect is true.
Example
- Assuming that because it is raining, the ground is wet is valid, but affirming the consequent would be to assume that because the ground is wet, it must be raining.
C1Argumentation
(academic, critical thinking)An error in reasoning where the truth of an outcome is used to falsely confirm the truth of its supposed cause.
Example
- Believing that because the alarm went off, there must be a fire, without considering other reasons the alarm might sound, is affirming the consequent.