← Back to archive

Is there a logic fallacy for something could have happen so it did?

Historical archive only. New interaction is disabled.

Original Question

Is there a logic fallacy for something could have happen so it did?


John could have had apple pie so he did.


 

Answers

2

Is there a logic fallacy for something could have happen so it did?



Yes, appeal to possibility .


However, "John could have had apple pie so he did" is not an example of this fallacy. This is more of a statement of fact. If John had apple pie and the reason was "because he could" then so be it. That is what happened. However, if the fact that John ate the apple pie is in question, and the reason given is that it was possible that he ate it, therefore he must have, then this is fallacious.


 

The short phrase, "[J]ohn could have had apple pie so he did" is a statement, it does not pose a question. "He could have apple pie, but didn't" would be the same: no question presented. No conclusion drawn. No logical process involved. 

Logically Fallacious book by Bo Bennett

Want the full book?

Get the complete guide to logical fallacies by Bo Bennett.

Buy the Book

Master Logical Fallacies Online

Take the Virversity course and sharpen your reasoning skills with structured lessons.

View Online Course