Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which type of evidence is considered the most important to show that event A causes event B?
Which type of evidence is considered the most important to show that event A causes event B?
What is one issue with relying solely on statistical correlation to infer causation?
What is one issue with relying solely on statistical correlation to infer causation?
What is the danger of assuming causation based on a correlation that is found?
What is the danger of assuming causation based on a correlation that is found?
In the context of evidence evaluation, why might people incorrectly believe there is a real correlation between two events?
In the context of evidence evaluation, why might people incorrectly believe there is a real correlation between two events?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one notable limitation of using statistical correlation to establish causation?
What is one notable limitation of using statistical correlation to establish causation?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it essential to consider factors beyond statistical correlation when inferring causation?
Why is it essential to consider factors beyond statistical correlation when inferring causation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the Latin term used to describe the fallacy of assuming that just because event X preceded event Y, X caused Y?
What is the Latin term used to describe the fallacy of assuming that just because event X preceded event Y, X caused Y?
Signup and view all the answers
In the example provided, what is the argument based on the decrease in violent crime after the implementation of longer prison sentences an example of?
In the example provided, what is the argument based on the decrease in violent crime after the implementation of longer prison sentences an example of?
Signup and view all the answers
Why does the author mention that many other possible causal factors need to be considered in evaluating the decrease in violent crime?
Why does the author mention that many other possible causal factors need to be considered in evaluating the decrease in violent crime?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the author suggest is the problem with assuming that longer prison sentences caused the decrease in violent crime?
What does the author suggest is the problem with assuming that longer prison sentences caused the decrease in violent crime?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of reasoning is most likely behind superstitions, according to the text?
Which type of reasoning is most likely behind superstitions, according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What distinguishes non causa pro causa fallacy from post hoc, ergo propter hoc?
What distinguishes non causa pro causa fallacy from post hoc, ergo propter hoc?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary reason for caution when observing a correlation between two factors A and B?
What is the primary reason for caution when observing a correlation between two factors A and B?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the fallacy of false cause primarily related to?
What is the fallacy of false cause primarily related to?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it essential to ask critical questions before concluding causality from observed correlations?
Why is it essential to ask critical questions before concluding causality from observed correlations?
Signup and view all the answers
In what situation does the false cause fallacy typically arise?
In what situation does the false cause fallacy typically arise?
Signup and view all the answers
What should a reader or listener be able to identify in an argument suspected of committing the false cause fallacy?
What should a reader or listener be able to identify in an argument suspected of committing the false cause fallacy?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it important to be cautious when linking two factors through a correlation?
Why is it important to be cautious when linking two factors through a correlation?
Signup and view all the answers