Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Appeal to consequences
Appeal to consequences, also known as argumentum ad consequentiam (Latin: argument to the consequences), seen by some to be a logical fallacy, consists of deducing the falsity of a conclusion (specifically a belief) from the negative or positive consequences that would follow belief.
Some examples:
- "You cannot believe that water companies should belong to the public. Think of all the utility shares our family owns!".
- "God must exist: so many people find happiness in religion."
- "God must not exist: religious people still act badly."
In a sense, this fallacy is like confusing the consequences of a conclusion with evidence for the truth of that conclusion.
The argumentum ad baculum is a special case of appeal to consequences.
Compare to:
- wishful thinking
- appeal to fear
- argumentum ad hominem circumstantial form
Last updated: 10-24-2005 05:24:02
10-26-2009 08:16:03
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details