Which argument is an example of a fallacious confusion between coincidence and causation?

A. There has been very little rain this year. Air pollution levels have risen significantly this year too. It seems worth investigating whether these events are related.

B. There has been very little rain this year. Air pollution levels have risen significantly this year too. So air pollution must be the reason for the lack of rain.

C. There has been very little rain this year. If we do not take steps to prevent climate change, we will face starvation on an unprecedented scale in less than 20 years.

D. There has been very little rain this year. Of course, this was bound to happen because the national meteorological department predicted it

Question

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Brandon Trujillo

27 November, 04:20

Which argument is an example of a fallacious confusion between coincidence and causation?

A. There has been very little rain this year. Air pollution levels have risen significantly this year too. It seems worth investigating whether these events are related.

B. There has been very little rain this year. Air pollution levels have risen significantly this year too. So air pollution must be the reason for the lack of rain.

C. There has been very little rain this year. If we do not take steps to prevent climate change, we will face starvation on an unprecedented scale in less than 20 years.

D. There has been very little rain this year. Of course, this was bound to happen because the national meteorological department predicted it

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Answers (2)

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Brooklyn Mata · Answer 1

C. There has been very little rain this year. If we do not take steps to prevent climate change, we will face starvation on an unprecedented scale in less than 20 years. D. There has been very little rain this year. Of course, this was bound to happen because the national meteorological department predicted it

Hanson · Answer 2

B

This is because the two events happened to be coincidental but there is no solid evidence to conclude that one caused the other. As option A suggests, it is worth investigating but not a conclusive proof.