Logical Fallacies

by Matthew Rosa and Sean Dapiran

1

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc

(After this, because of this.) It attempts to
prove that because a second event followed
a first event, the second was the result of
the first.

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Image that represents Post Hoc

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Example 1
The rate of teenagers playing PC
video games went up, and then kids
started to get bad grades; therefore,
video games led to bad grades.

Example 2
The new Call of Duty came out, and
many people bought the game. Many
children became violent; therefore,
Call of Duty makes people violent.

Analysis Paragraph
In contemporary culture, logical fallacies are present throughout our everyday lives. Video games are full of logical
fallacies. Some examples include, the video game Call of Duty and playing PC video games for long hours. Parents
and educators believe that children are going to decline in school, and become more violent because of these two
different examples. These are both examples of the fallacy post hoc ergo propter hoc. Post hoc states that After this,
because of this and people immediately assume that one thing was the cause of the other. Call of Duty appeals to
mostly parents and educators that are worried about their children and young students. Using this fallacy, these adults
are able to convince others that playing Call of Duty as a young child, causes violence later in life . Their distress for
the children is represented through pathos. By using pathos in this situation, the adults are able to reach out and plant
their ideas into others, so that they will also follow their ideas. Not only is the video game Call of Duty an example of
post hoc, but PC gaming appeals to this too. The common assumption is that if kids play too many PC games, or video
games in general, there is going to be a decline in their grades. If there is no proof to back up ones assumptions that
video games, lead to bad grades, post hoc is exemplified; the logos isnt present. However, post hoc in this situation
can also be effective. By hearing other parents or teachers testimonials, it might persuade others to believe in their
assumptions. In conclusion, logical fallacies are present in our everyday contemporary lives.

Sources
Krans, Brian. "Study: Violent Video Games May Make Kids More Aggressive."Healthlines RSS News. Healthline News, 24 Mar.
2014. Web. 19 Mar. 2015.
Conrad, Brent. "Ten Things Parents Should Know About Teen Computer Game Addiction - TechAddiction." Tech Addiction.
N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2015.

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Enjoy some fire memes

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