Appeal to consequences, also known as argumentum ad consequentiam (Latin: argument to the consequences), seen by some to be a logical fallacy, consists of deducing the falsity of a conclusion (specifically a belief) from the negative or positive consequences that would follow belief.
Some examples:
- "You cannot believe that water companies should belong to the public. Think of all the utility shares our family owns!".
- "God must exist: so many people find happiness in religion."
- "God must not exist: religious people still act badly."
In a sense, this fallacy is like confusing the consequences of a conclusion with evidence for the truth of that conclusion.
The argumentum ad baculum is a special case of appeal to consequences.
Compare to:
