affirmation of the consequent

: the logical fallacy of inferring the truth of the antecedent of an implication from the truth of the consequent (as in, "if it rains, then the game is cancelled and the game has been cancelled, therefore it has rained")

called also assertion of the consequent

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of affirmation of the consequent was in 1854

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Dictionary Entries Near affirmation of the consequent

affirmation

affirmation of the consequent

affirmative

Cite this Entry

“Affirmation of the consequent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affirmation%20of%20the%20consequent. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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