Single cause fallacy
The single cause fallacy is when one thing is blamed for an issue that has many contributing factors.
How to spot a single cause fallacy
Consider the complexity of the issue. Is the issue multifaceted, involving various interconnected factors?
Like scapegoating, watch for a complex problem being reduced to one specific cause or entity being blamed without sufficient evidence.
Is the information overlooking broader context? Does the argument ignore the larger, more complex web of factors contributing to the issue.
This statement is an example of a single cause fallacy: “Obesity is caused solely by poor personal choices.” It ignores that obesity is influenced by many factors, including genetics, socioeconomic status, access to healthy food, psychological issues and lifestyle habits.
In the image, a person on social media argues that obesity is caused by poor self-control. What is the other common logical fallacy they use in the first part of their argument?
