EFFECT, n. The second of two phenomena which always occur…
“EFFECT, n. The second of two phenomena which always occur together in the same order. The first, called a Cause, is said to generate the other-which is no more sensible than it would be for one who has never seen a dog except in pursuit of a rabbit to declare the rabbit the cause of the dog.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Cause and effect are often misidentified; people mistakenly label the effect as the cause.
In simple terms: We confuse cause with effect.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about causality.
Themes
logic
philosophy
misconception
analysis
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- everyday reasoning
- scientific method
Key Concepts
causation
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What examples show reversed causality?
- How can we improve causal reasoning?
A Different Perspective
Complex systems can defy simple cause‑effect.