A statement that does not follow logically from evidence is called a ...

• A. Abstract
• B. Temperate
• C. Non sequitur
• D. Candid

Answer: (C)

A statement that does not follow logically from evidence is a non sequitur. This term, from Latin, is used in logic to signal that the conclusion jumps to something that isn’t actually supported by the premises or facts given. For example, if you hear, “The streets are dry, so it must be noon,” the conclusion about the time doesn’t follow from the evidence about the weather; the reasoning makes a leap that isn’t justified. In arguments, spotting a non sequitur helps you see when conclusions aren’t adequately supported by the evidence. The other words describe different ideas—abstract means not concrete or not specific, temperate means moderate, and candid means honest and straightforward—so they don’t capture the idea of a faulty logical connection between evidence and conclusion.