| Joint Effect | One thing is held to cause another when in fact both are the
effect of a single underlying cause. |
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This fallacy is often understood as a special case of post hoc ergo prompter hoc.
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| Examples |
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(i) We are experiencing high unemployment which s being
caused by a low consumer demand. (In fact, both may be
caused by high interest rates.)
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(ii) You have a fever and this is causing you to break out in
spots. (In fact, both symptoms are caused by the measles.)
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| Proof: |
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Identify the two effects and show that they are caused by the
same underlying cause. It is necessary to describe the
underlying cause and prove that it causes each symptom.
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