Lecture Notes by Christopher Lay

Los Angeles Pierce College

Department of History, Philosophy, and Sociology

Mathew Van Cleave's 2016 Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking

https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/BookDetail.aspx?bookId=457

Chapter 4 "Informal fallacies", § 3 "Fallacies of Relevance," Sub-§ 5 "Appeal to Consequences"

"[T]he appeal to consequences fallacy consists in the mistake of trying to assess the truth or reasonableness of an idea based on the (typically negative) consequences of accepting that idea." 

The appeal to consequences mistakenly accepts or rejects something because of what it leads to. 

"The consequences of some idea (good or bad) are irrelevant to the truth or reasonableness of that idea."

Appeal to Consequences vs. Genetic Fallacy

"The appeal to consequences fallacy is like the reverse of the genetic fallacy: whereas the genetic fallacy consists in the mistake of trying to assess the truth or reasonableness of an idea based on the origin of the idea," the appeal to consequences accepts or rejects something because of where it is headed, so to speak.    

Truth and Falsity

"[S]ometimes truth can have negative consequences and falsehoods can have positive consequences. This just goes to show that the consequences of an idea are irrelevant to the truth or reasonableness of an idea." 

Example

Is this a fallacy?  Either way, explain why or why not. 

Abortions are permissible because they help people save money, and saving money is a good thing. 

Example

Is this a fallacy?  Either way, explain why or why not. 

Stealing is fine, as long as you don't get caught. 

Example

Is this a fallacy?  Either way, explain why or why not. 

Carrying a camera with you (so long as it doesn't fit in your pocket) wherever you go is a good thing because it helps you refine your ability to spot beauty in unexpected places. 

Example

Is this a fallacy?  Either way, explain why or why not. 

Taking a course in logic is a good thing because it can help you spot fallacies and learning how to spot fallacies can help you save money.