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Definition:
The Latin phrase "non sequitur" literally means "it does not follow." It is used as a label for an informal
fallacy which is committed whenever an argument appears to draw an inference from premises which are
not logically connected to it. For example:
My shoes are red.
Therefore, capital punishment is immoral.
The moral question of capital punishment has nothing to do with the color of anyone's shoes - therefore, the above conclusion is a non sequitur. Sometimes, what appears to be a non sequitur is really an enthymeme, where an important premise is simply unstated. Once it is made clear what the missing premise is, the argument may be found to be valid.
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Related Resources:
What is the Logic and the Philosophy of Language?
The two fields Logic and the Philosophy of Language are often treated separately, but they are nevertheless close enough that they are presented together here. Logic is the study of methods of reasoning and argumentation, both proper and improper. The Philosophy of Language, on the other hand, involves the study of how our language interacts with our thinking.What is Philosophy?
What is philosophy? Is there any point in studying philosophy, or is it a useless subject? What are the different branches of philosophy - what's the difference between aestheitcs and ethics? What's the difference between metaphysics and epistemology?
