Post hoc ergo propter hoc describes a causal fallacy. It was made popular by that erstwhile American political period drama called ‘The West Wing’! Post hoc ergo propter hoc is a logical misconception where someone argues that one event happens because another event happened before it, and the earlier event caused the second event. By means of an illustration: A happened before B. Therefore, A is the cause of B. Now, if you want a totally bonkers example of post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy: After I sneezed, then suddenly my laptop exploded. Therefore, my sneezing caused my laptop to…
Category: Academic Theory
What is an Academic Theory?
Academic Theory – Does it matter? Well, if you’re reading this, you have found out that academic theory is important. However, you may also have discovered many people pretend they know what academic theory is but, frankly, they don’t have a clue what they’re talking about. Academic theory is critical. As an undergraduate or postgraduate student you will need to explain or situate your work within an existing body of academic theory or you will simply fail! If you’re a PhD student you will be expected to make a new contribution to theory and develop the existing literature. If you’re…