What's it call when people blame things they don't understand on things they don't approve of and then recommend a "virtuous" course of action?
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Original Question
Examples:
Biblical times:
The crops have failed. Clearly God is displeased by your lack of humility. Sacrifice your cattle to him to show you are sorry.
Modern times:
Doctor: Not sure what's wrong with you but I suspect its because you're overweight. Start on this new diet and exercise regime and call me when you've lost 20lbs.
Comments on Question
Answers
2What's it call (sic) when people blame things (on things) they don't understand...?
Promiscuous teleology, or, hyper active agency detection.
What's it call (sic) when people blame things they don't understand on things they don't approve of...?
Superstition, selective moral superiority, or religious judgmentalism.
What's it call (sic) when people blame things they don't understand on things they don't approve of and then recommend a "virtuous" course of action?
Theodicy.
I would say
1) Claiming a cause when the cause is unknown is Argument from Ignorance and Jumping to Conclusions .
2) then blaming on things one disapproves of is a form of Shoehorning
3) then recommend a "virtuous" course of action is just an opinion.
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In addition to my answer below, I just wanted to comment that your modern times example is far less problematic than your Biblical times one. In your modern times example, the doctor could be giving their expert opinion. They stated as much by admitting uncertainty in the diagnoses. Being overweight is a common comorbidity so this is not unreasonable. Had the doctor said, "but I suspect you are not right with God," then that would be a very different story.