by onecogmind April 03, 2015
When correlation doesn't equal causation, people tend to make the mistake of skipping from factor A to B. That missing third ever-so-absent variable of the logic chain is C.
"A is correlated with B. Therefore A leads to B."
No, both "A" and "B" are related to "C". It's Factor C.
"A is correlated with B. Therefore A leads to B."
No, both "A" and "B" are related to "C". It's Factor C.
Person 1: "People who have lighters in their pockets are far more likely to develop lung cancer. Obviously, lighters lead to lung cancer, it's just simple A-to-B logic."
Person 2: "Factor C: Smoking... Are you actually retarded?"
Person 2: "Factor C: Smoking... Are you actually retarded?"