Refraction (Bent Thinking) #12

Causal Reductionism:  Asserting that a complex effect is a result of only one of its factors. Refutation: A complex effect, by definition, need several factors to work together to bring it about. Referring to only one of the factors is oversimplification and denies the reality of a truly complex cause and effect relationship. Example:  “The widespread epidemic of STD’s in our nation can be solely traced to the removing of the 10 Commandments from our schools.” This is NOT to say that there is not a possible causal relationship between the abandonment of objective moral standards in a society and a subsequent decay in moral behavior; it is just important that we understand that there is a nexus of contributing factors that work together to bring about social change.