Non sequitur
Also called: It does not follow
A conclusion that doesn't follow from the reasons given, even if the reasons are true.
How to spot it
Cover the “therefore” part and ask whether the reasons really lead there. Is a step missing?
Example
“She is kind to animals, so she will make a good accountant.”
How to answer it
Ask what connects the reason to the conclusion, and what else would have to be true for the step to work.
Related
- Begging the question: Using the conclusion as one of the reasons for the conclusion.
- Red herring: Slipping in a different topic to lead the discussion away from the point.
- Post hoc: Assuming that because one thing followed another, the first caused the second.