Concept · Cognitive Bias: Formal logical fallacies
Non sequitur
Origin: Traditional Latin rhetoric
Biological Parallel
Biology generates endless non sequiturs because evolution produces systems that appear purposeful without being planned. The panda's thumb works for bamboo but did not evolve for it. Flamingo pinkness is a dietary side effect co-opted for signaling. Ant ventilation systems are complex but emerge from simple rules. Dolphin play looks purposeful but may serve no direct adaptive function. The appearance of design does not establish design intent — same as the appearance of strategy does not establish strategic cause.