Fallacy of Causation Examples in Media, Real Life, Politics, News & Ads

Fallacy of Causation

The Fallacy of Causation Definition: What is Causal Fallacy? 

The fallacy of causation is a logical error in which one assumes that because two events are related, the first event must have caused the second event. It is a logical error in which one assumes that because B follows from A, then A must have caused B.

This type of reasoning can be seen in many contexts, including when people assume that wearing tight clothing causes skin cancer or when someone is diagnosed with a disease and then assumes they caught it from another person who had been infected earlier.

In reality, other factors at play may lead to both these events happening simultaneously rather than one causing the other.

Fallacy of Causation Examples

Fallacy of Causation example in Philosophy

Examples of Fallacy of Causation in Philosophy:

For example, if you see someone with a black eye and ask them how they got it, they might say, “I was punched.” This does not mean the person’s getting punched caused their black eye.

Causation should be inferred only when there is sufficient evidence to support the claim.

Fallacy of Causation Real-Life Examples

Fallacy of Causation in Real Life:

The fallacy of causation is a logical error in which it is assumed that because two things occur together, one must have caused the other.  This type of error can be committed when we are not careful about how we interpret the evidence.

For example, if someone were to say, “I was late for work this morning because I had to wait for a train,” they would be committing the fallacy of causation.

It could also happen if you were to argue that your success at school or on an exam came from studying rather than natural intelligence.

Fallacy of Causation Examples in Media

Examples of Fallacy of Causation in Media: 

The media often reports that the FDA has approved a new drug, but they fail to mention that it was just one study, and there are many more studies needed before approval.

A person may be experiencing symptoms of depression, but the media may report that they have cancer without mentioning any other possible causes for their symptoms.

The media might say that someone is guilty of committing a crime because they were found at the scene of the crime.

Fallacy of Causation Examples in Advertising

Fallacy of Causation in Advertising: 

The following advertisement for a new weight loss product is an example of the fallacy of causation.

 “Lose 10 pounds in one week!”

This ad implies that you will lose ten pounds if you use this product, but there are many other factors at play, such as diet and exercise.

Fallacy of Causation in Politics

Examples of Fallacy of Causation in Politics:

The fallacy of causation in politics is when a politician claims that one event caused another.

For example, if a politician says that the increase in crime rates is due to an increase in immigration, then he/she commits this fallacy.

Fallacy of Causation examples in Movies

Examples of Fallacy of Causation in Movies:

The fallacy of causation in movies is when a character does something, and then the next scene shows what they were trying to avoid happening.

For example, if there’s a car chase on TV, you might see that person getting out of their car and running away before the crash occurs.

This can be misleading because it suggests that whatever they did cause the crash.

Fallacy of Causation Examples in Literature

Examples of Fallacy of Causation in Literature:

The fallacy of causation is a logical error in which one assumes that because event B follows event A, then event A must have caused event B.

This can be seen in the book “1984” by George Orwell, where Winston Smith’s memory is constantly being altered to suit the Party’s needs.

As such, it becomes difficult for him to distinguish between what he remembers and what he has been told.

Fallacy of Causation Examples in News

Examples of Fallacy of Causation in News:

A study found that people who drink more coffee are less likely to develop cancer.

The researchers concluded that drinking coffee can reduce the risk of developing cancer, but this is an example of a fallacy of causation because it does not consider other factors that may also influence the development of cancer, such as smoking or genetics.

Related Resources:

• 9 Affirming the Consequent Fallacy Examples