Affirming the Consequent

Affirming the consequent is a logical fallacy confusing the directionality of if-then propositions. Logic is sometimes bi-directional, but it is the exception, not the rule.

  • This is related to the fallacy of not recognizing the difference between "all X are Y" and "all Y are X".
    • ex. claiming "most terrorists are muslim" is not the same as claiming "most muslims are terrorists"
  • Statistical equivalent of confusion of the inverse
    • ex. - If most criminals are members of group X, most members of group X must be criminals.
  • ex.
    • P: If X, then Y.
    • C: If Y, then X. or
    • P1: If X, then Y.
    • P2: Y.
    • C: X.