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Non Sequitur

The phrase "non sequitur" is latin for "it does not follow." If an inference is made that does not logically follow from the premises of the preceding argument, then the inference is a non sequitur.

Though the term "non sequitur" can be used broadly as an informal fallacy to describe any unwarranted conclusion, it is most often used when a statement openly contradicts itself and makes no sense.

Here are some examples of some obvious non sequiturs. The first example gives two premises and a conclusion which does not follow. The second example gives two statements found in the same argument which contradict each other:

1. All cows graze in fields
2. All cows see the moon at night
C. All cows can jump over the moon

1. The solution to this dilemma is obvious
2. Only experts have sufficient knowledge to assess the solution to this dilemma

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