Similar? to the fallacy of the consequent...
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Original Question
What is the terminology or is there a specific fallacy of logic/reasoning in the below construct?
Actor X chose to perform action Y, action Y created an undesirable (wrong) outcome Z, therefore the choice of Actor X is wrong....linked to If Actor X had chosen action A, the outcome would not have/ could not equal Z, therefore action A is true (the correct choice). I see this as a fallacy of consequent and false dilemma combination (in this case there are more than the choices of A & Y). I would be appreciative of any insight on how to better explain this (if in fact, I am seeing it correctly) as well as any words of wisdom on how to enlighten others on it (counter the thinking). All help or insight is appreciated...JB
Answers
3The argument is formally valid, however, that does not mean that the argument is informally valid or that it has false premises.
Actor X chose to perform action Y, action Y created an undesirable (wrong) outcome Z, therefore the choice of Actor X is wrong
What does 'wrong' mean in this context? Morally wrong? Factually wrong? Personally disadvantageous?
....linked to If Actor X had chosen action A, the outcome would not have/ could not equal Z, therefore action A is true (the correct choice).
Aside from more ambiguity regarding terms (in what sense do we mean 'correct'?), assuming A would have led to a better outcome, unsupported as it is, would be hypothesis contrary to fact
Person X does action Y.
Action Y led to outcome Z. -> Do we know this? Suggesting this could be a fallacy in itself (confusing correlation with causation, causal reductionism
Outcome Z was bad.
Person X did not do action A.
Action A could not result in outcome Z. -> Again, how can we be sure? This could be an unsupported claim or hypothesis contrary to fact
Therefore, action A is correct.
If we know that action A could not have possibly resulted in outcome Z, and action A was a the alternative choice in a true dichotomy, then there is no fallacy. For example,
The $1,000,000 is in case A or B.
I chose case A. The $1,000,0000 was not in the case.
Sucks for me.
If I had chosen case B, I would not have chosen the case without the money.
Therefore, choosing case B would have been the correct choice.
Using the same example, if there are more than two cases, then we are dealing with a false dilemma .
If you like, comment with your specific example and I/we can provide further advice.
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