post hoc ergo propter hoc love

post hoc ergo propter hoc

Definitions

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the logical fallacy of believing that temporal succession implies a causal relation

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  • my favorite latin phrase.

    literally: "after this, therefore this caused this." used in logic to describe a fallacy of causation.

    January 10, 2007

  • Also employed on an episode of The West Wing.

    After it, therefore because of it. It means one thing follows the other, therefore it was caused by the other, but it's not always true. In fact, it's hardly ever true. We did not lose Texas because of the hat joke. Do you know when we lost Texas?

    — Josiah Bartlet

    November 1, 2007

  • This means, "After it, therefore because of it."

    President Josiah Bartlet: "Do you know when we lost Texas, CJ?

    CJ Cregg: "When you learned to speak Latin?"

    President Josiah Bartlet:"Go figure."

    - West Wing

    March 13, 2008