Question

In the previous link, there is a logical fallacy called, "post hoc ergo propter hoc," which is Latin for "after this, therefore resulting from it." Below is the example provided, what else could have caused this person to feel sick besides water? List several alternative explanations.

I drank bottled water and now I am sick, so the water must have made me sick.

a. The person may have eaten contaminated food.
b. The person may have been exposed to a virus.
c. The person may have allergies.
d. All of the above.

Answer 1

The logical fallacy 'post hoc ergo propter hoc' suggests that just because one event occurs after another, it doesn't mean that the first event caused the second one. Several alternative explanations could have caused the person to feel sick after drinking bottled water, such as contaminated food, exposure to a virus, or allergies.

Step-by-step explanation:

The logical fallacy called 'post hoc ergo propter hoc' means that just because one event occurs after another, it doesn't mean that the first event caused the second one. In the example given, it is assumed that drinking bottled water made the person sick. However, there could be several alternative explanations for the illness:

1. The person may have eaten contaminated food.
2. The person may have been exposed to a virus.
3. The person may have allergies.
4. All of the above could have caused the illness.