False Analogy, Fake Precision, False

Cause, and False Effect

Week 12

False Analogy

Comparing one thing to another that is really not related, in order to make one thing look more or less desirable than it really is.

Saying two things with similar traits are the same.

Also known as: False comparison

Exception: One can argue what exactly is “really not related”.

Tip: Comparisons of any kind almost always are flawed.  Think carefully before you accept any kind of comparison as evidence.

Example

Broccoli has significantly less fat than the leading candy bar!

Example

Fake Precision

Using implausibly precise statistics to give the appearance of truth and certainty, or using negligible difference in data to draw incorrect inferences.

Also known as: spurious accuracy.

Exception: In reality, tiny statistical differences can have a significant impact, regardless of our interpretation.  For example, jumping out of the way of a car .01 seconds too late can mean the difference between a close call, and death.

Example

Viola: This fossil right here is 120,000,003 years old.

Dylan: How do you know that?

Viola: Because when I started working here three years ago, the experts did some radiometric dating and told me that it was 120,000,000 years old.

False Cause

This fallacy is committed when it is concluded that one event causes another simply because the proposed cause occurred before the proposed effect.

Also known as: Post hoc ergo propter hoc

Exception: When some one says event A caused event B; check their reasoning, because sometimes they are right.

Example

I had been doing pretty poorly this season. Then my girlfriend gave me this neon laces for my spikes and I won my next three races. Those laces must be good luck...if I keep on wearing them I can't help but win!

False Effect

Unlike the false cause, the false effect incorrectly assumes an effect from a cause.

Also known as: Non causa pro causa

Exception: A belief of an effect could be argued to be an actual effect.  Effects often can be supported empirically, but they can also be claimed by “faith”, making them impossible to prove or disprove.

Example

Watching TV that close will make you go blind, so move back!

Example