Causal Reasoning

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Causal Reasoning

by goelmohit2002 » Sat Sep 26, 2009 5:12 am
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.

[spoiler]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 ?
[/spoiler]

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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.

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by kyabe » Sat Sep 26, 2009 6:27 am
Yes it will.. Anywayz classic example is of a rooster which says cock-a-doodle-doo before the sunrise.

Now it can be assumed that the sunrise is the effect of the rooster's cock-a-doodle-doo.

But in reality we konw that its not.. Does this helps?

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by goelmohit2002 » Sat Sep 26, 2009 6:33 am
kyabe wrote:Yes it will.. Anywayz classic example is of a rooster which says cock-a-doodle-doo before the sunrise.

Now it can be assumed that the sunrise is the effect of the rooster's cock-a-doodle-doo.

But in reality we konw that its not.. Does this helps?
Hi Kyabe,

I guess the above example of rooster is corelation taken as causation....

But IMO B is different....B says cause exists but effect is not there....

I hope I am clear in my doubt.

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by hitmewithgmat » Sun Sep 27, 2009 12:39 pm
Let's do diagramming for visual effect.
ex. X(cause) -----------> Y (effect)

a) find an alternate cause for stated effect.
Z(3rd factor)----->Y

b) show that even when he cause occurs, the effect does not occur.
X------> ~Y

c) show that although the effect occurs, the cause did not occur.
~X ---->Y

d) show that the stated relationship is in fact reversed.
Y---->X

e) Show a statistical problem exists with the data used to make the causal statement.
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