Causal Reasoning

[goelmohit2002]

Hi All,

In the causal reasoning chapter powerscore CR bible says the following are the five ways to weaken the arguement involving the causal reasoning.

Can someone please give one example of "B".....as it is not given in powerscore book....basically if we are able to show mere say 1% cases where the cause occurs but effect does not occur....will it weaken the argument ?

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a) find an alternate cause for stated effect.
b) show that even when he cause occurs, the effect does not occur.
c) show that although the effect occurs, the cause did not occur.
d) show that the stated relationship is in fact reversed.
e) Show a statistical problem exists with the data used to make the causal statement.

[Ben Ku]

It's hard to comment on instruction provided by another publisher, without knowing what is said in the book. Here's my interpretation of what you're asking, and hopefully it makes sense.

Can someone please give one example of "B".....as it is not given in powerscore book....basically if we are able to show mere say 1% cases where the cause occurs but effect does not occur....will it weaken the argument ?

b) show that even when he cause occurs, the effect does not occur.

Whenever there is a causal relationship that uses absolute language, it must be always true. For example,

If I run 5 miles every day for a week, then I will lose 10 pounds.

If one week, I run 5 miles every day, however I only lost 5 pounds, then this would weaken the conclusion, because I have provided a counterexample that goes against the causal relationship.