Affirming the Consequent is where two statements are true and we come to a conclusion based off the two statements except the two true statements are not contingent on one another especially in the conclussions descriptor. This might sound confusing at first but it is rather easy to understand after you see an example.

Affirming the Consequent Example

If Susan goes to college and gets her Masters then she is educated.

Susan is educated.

Therefore Susan has her Masters.

The above example does not take into account that education can be one in many forms and getting a masters is not exclusive to being educated. Let’s look at another example.

If someone follows Christianity then they will give to charity

Ellen gives to charity

Therefore Ellen is a Christian

Ellen is actually has no religion and the conclusion is assuming an absolute based on two prior statements of truth. The problem is that charity is not exclusive to Christianity or any philosophical doctrine. This absolute conclusion is fallacious and not true.

Logic Structure

If A then B

Affirm B

Therefore A