LFofW: Argument from final outcome or consequences

The logical fallacy for this week is Argument from Consequence. Such arguments (also called teleological) are based on a reversal of cause and effect, because they argue that something is caused by the ultimate effect that it has, or purpose that is serves. This argument takes some permutation of the form that if a claim were either true or untrue, then the consequences would either be good or bad, and therefore what is true is what leads to either achieving a good outcome or avoiding a bad outcome.
For example, Christian creationists have argued that evolution must be wrong because if it were true it would lead to immorality.

Subtype: Argument from Benefit
Another common, and perhaps more subtle, form of this logical fallacy is the notion that if someone or some entity benefited from an event they must have caused the event. This fallacy is commonly invoked in the context of the JFK assassination in order to support an alleged conspiracy. The argument is that if someone benefited from the assassination of JFK they must have been involved in a conspiracy to carry out the assassination.

Subtype: Appeal to Fear
The appeal to fear is an argument from consequences, but in this case the consequences are individually relevant – an outcome to be personally feared. For example, proselytizers often argue that you should accept the claims of their religion for if you reject them you risk eternal damnation.

Subtype: Appeal to Flattery
Like the appeal to fear, this is a personalized version of the argument from final consequences, this time positive rather than negative. This logical fallacy is the attempt to convince someone of a claim because of implied flattery. For example, alleged psychics may support their claims of psychic abilities by claiming that they sense psychic potential in the person they are trying to convince.

Subtype: Appeal to Pity
This fallacy attempts to support a claim out of pity, sympathy, or even obligation to some person or group. For example, some proponents of Gulf War Syndrome have argued that we should accept the reality of this syndrome because we owe it to our veterans who fought for us in the Gulf War. Another example is the claim that silicone breast implants cause autoimmune disease, despite all evidence to the contrary. During this debate there were many appeals to pity for the victims of silicone breast implants. This can also be considered the fallacy of assuming the conclusion, because having sympathy for the victims of silicone breast implants assumes they are victims, which is the very matter of debate.