Appeal to consequences

Appeal to consequences

Appeal to consequences, also known as argumentum ad consequentiam (Latin: argument to the consequences), is a logical fallacy which consists in deducing the falsity of a conclusion (specifically a belief) from the negative or positive consequences that would follow if it were true.

For example, "you cannot believe that water companies should belong to the public. Think of all the utility shares our family owns!". "God must exist, so many people find happiness in religion."

Pascal's wager is an example of an appeal to a consequence of a belief, saying that belief in Christianity would reduce one's chances of eternal damnation.

The argumentum ad baculum is a special case of appeal to consequences.