Causal fallacies involve any claim that something caused something else, where that might not be the case. Ask yourself if that's the only way it could have happened. Could something else have caused that which is being overlooked? Is it more complicated than the way it is being presented? Post hoc, ergo propter hoc is a specific type of causal fallacy where it is said that because event A occurred before event B, that event A must have caused event B. Consider alternative possibilities.

Explanation:

The effect is caused by a number of objects or events, of which the cause identified is only a part. A variation of this is the feedback loop where the effect is itself a part of the cause.

Examples:

(i) The accident was caused by the poor location of the bush.

(True, but it wouldn't have occurred had the driver not been drunk and the pedestrian not been jaywalking.)

(ii) The Challenger explosion was caused by the cold weather. (True, however, it would not have occurred had the O-rings been properly constructed.)

(iii) People are in fear because of increased crime. (True, but this has lead people to break the law as a consequence of their fear, which increases crime even more.)

Proof:

Show that all of the causes, and not just the one mentioned, are required to produce the effect.

Joint Effect

Definition: One thing is held to cause another when in fact both are the effect of a single underlying cause. This fallacy is often understood as a special case of post hoc ergo prompter hoc.

Examples:

(i) We are experiencing high unemployment which s being caused by a low consumer demand. (In fact, both may be caused by high interest rates.)

(ii) You have a fever and this is causing you to break out in spots. (In fact, both symptoms are caused by the measles.)

Proof:

Identify the two effects and show that they are caused by the same underlying cause. It is necessary to describe the underlying cause and prove that it causes each symptom.

Wrong Direction

Definition: The relation between cause and effect is reversed.

Examples:

(i) Cancer causes smoking.

(ii) The increase in AIDS was caused by more sex education. (In fact, the increase in sex education was caused by the spread of AIDS.)

Proof:

Give a causal argument showing that the relation between cause and effect has been reversed.