False Cause (Correlation/Causation)
Spot the Fallacy Team
Team Content
The false cause fallacy assumes a causal relationship without adequate evidence.
The false cause fallacy assumes a causal relationship without adequate evidence.
Why it is a fallacy
A claim needs evidence that connects the reasons to the conclusion. This fallacy skips that connection or replaces it with a shortcut.
Examples
- We rebranded and then sales dropped, so the rebrand caused it.
- I took vitamins and got better, so the vitamins cured me.
- After the new manager arrived, productivity rose, so she caused it.
How to respond
- Ask for a causal mechanism and additional evidence.
- Consider confounding variables and alternative explanations.
- Look for controlled comparisons or repeated patterns.
Related fallacies
FAQ
Is timing alone enough to prove cause?
No. Timing can suggest a hypothesis but does not prove causation.
What makes a causal claim stronger?
Mechanisms, controls, and consistent evidence across contexts.
References
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fallacies)
- Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Logic and Critical Thinking)
- Nizkor Project (Fallacies)