Affirming the consequent:
Formal Fallacy
| Definition | Example |
| When the antecedent in a conditional is claimed to be true because the consequent is true; if A, then B; B, therefore A. | Whenever it rains, people carry umbrellas. People are carrying umbrellas, so it must be raining. |
| Notes | |
The form of this fallacy is as follows.
This is a formal fallacy that is always fallacious. |
|
Case Study One
“If God answers prayer, then it is raining outside. It is raining outside. Therefore, God answers prayer.*
Case Study Two
“If I am a husband, I am married. I’m married. Therefore, I’m a husband.”
(No, you could be a wife.)
Case Study Three
“If someone is psychic, they can predict stock prices. My broker predicts stock prices. Therefore, he is psychic.”
Keep in mind that a fallacious argument does not entail an erroneous position.
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