Which logical fallacy exemplifies making conclusions based solely on sequential order of events?

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The correct answer is indeed Post hoc ergo propter hoc, which refers to a logical fallacy that assumes a cause-and-effect relationship based solely on the order of events. This fallacy occurs when it is concluded that one event caused another simply because the first event occurred before the second.

For example, if someone argues that because a rooster crows before sunrise, the crowing causes the sun to rise, they are committing the post hoc fallacy. The mere sequence of events is taken to infer a causal link, without any evidence to support that connection. This reasoning can lead to erroneous conclusions, as it overlooks other possible explanations for the relationship between the two events.

Understanding this fallacy is important in critical thinking and argumentation, as it highlights the need for more rigorous evidence to establish causation rather than relying solely on the timing of events.

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