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'''"Correlation is not causation"''' is one of the unofficial mottos of [[modern science]]. When we observe that two things generally or always happen together, it is natural to wonder whether one may be [[causation|causing]] the other. A [[correlation]] between two variables does not always mean that one variable has caused a change in the other. Often a third variable is causing both, such as shark attacks and ice cream sales. These two factors may correlate, but they are not directly related. Rather, both go up each summer as people go swimming at ocean beaches.  

'''"Correlation is not causation"''' is one of the unofficial mottos of [[modern science]]. When we observe that two things generally or always happen together, it is natural to wonder whether one may be [[causation|causing]] the other. A [[correlation]] between two variables does not always mean that one variable has caused a change in the other. Often a third variable is causing both, such as shark attacks and ice cream sales. These two factors may correlate, but they are not directly related. Rather, both go up each summer as people go swimming at ocean beaches.  

It is a [[logical fallacy]] to assume that correlation implies causation. In fact, it is a subset of the [[Logical fallacy#False cause|fallacy of false cause]]. Correlation does not prove causality, but non-correlation proves non-causality.<ref>http://www.oism.org/pproject/s33p36.htm#Message5980</ref> This fallacy is particularly popular with radical [[feminism|feminists]] such as Gail Dines.

It is a [[logical fallacy]] to assume that correlation implies causation. In fact, it is a subset of the [[Logical fallacy#False cause|fallacy of false cause]]. Correlation does not prove causality, but non-correlation proves non-causality.<ref>http://www.oism.org/pproject/s33p36.htm#Message5980</ref> This fallacy is particularly popular with radical [[feminism|feminists]] such as Gail Dines and with other liberals. Liberals and radical feminists use the fallacy to call for expanded government: If there is, or appears to be, a correlation between ''X'' and undesirable event ''Y,'' they argue that ''X'' must be banned to prevent future occurrences of ''Y.''

The following is a flawed argument:

The following is a flawed argument: