# Fable about post-hoc rationalization

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-about-post-hoc-rationalization/920724>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [September 15, 2020, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-about-post-hoc-rationalization/920724 "2020-09-15T19:51:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2020, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-about-post-hoc-rationalization/920724/1 "2020-09-15T19:51:03Z")

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Not sure where this belongs; please feel free to move. I have the faintest memory of a fable or parable or joke about a man who made up his mind about what had happened, and when each of the pieces of evidence he cited as a basis was disproved, he turned it around to justify his original position. So he knew X was true because Y was true, but then when it turned out Y wasn’t true, well, that proved X was true. I realize I’m not giving you much to work with, but does this ring any bells? Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2020, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fable-about-post-hoc-rationalization/920724/2 "2020-09-16T21:54:27Z")

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Since no one has replied I think it might do better in CS.