Circular cause and consequence


     
    Name of fallacy Circular cause and consequence
    Aliases  
    Type Inductive Argument, Informal Argument
    Description Where the consequence of the phenomenon is claimed to be its root cause. There are legitimate cause and effect feedback loops. The problem is identifying the root cause.
    Example Expectation of economic downturn cause people to spend less, which reduces demand, causing economic downturn.
    Form 
    Treatment This fallacy is addressed by examining the root cause:
    1) Asking which came first?
    2) Proposing a machanism for the propsed cause and effect
    3) Testing the proposed cause and effect

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