Post Hoc

Disciplines > Argument > Fallacies > Post Hoc

Description | Discussion | Example | See also

Description

If X follows Y, then X is caused by Y.

The sequence of things proves cause.

Example

The man pulled out a gun. A shot was fired. Therefore the man fired the shot.

You used the telephone and then it stopped working. You broke the phone.

I am feeling very unwell. It must have been the meal last night.

Discussion

Just because something follows something else, this is not sufficient evidence to prove true cause and effect. This temporal relationship may simply be coincidence.

Coincidence is often related to superstition -- hence saying 'bless you' when someone sneezes (it is assumed that this lays a person open to spiritual attack) or throwing salt over your shoulder when you spill it (it is assumed to cause bad luck otherwise).

Classification

Assumptive, Causal

Also known as

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc (after this, therefore because of this)