What mistake does the Appeal to Consequences fallacy make?

The Appeal to Consequences fallacy makes a crucial mistake by assessing the validity or truth of a claim based on the consequences that would result from it, rather than on concrete evidence. This involves arguing that something is true or false simply because of the positive or negative outcomes it might produce.

For instance, one might argue that a certain belief is likely true because it leads to beneficial outcomes, like happiness or success, or conversely, that a claim is false because it could lead to dire consequences. This reasoning is flawed because the truth of a statement should be established through evidence and logical reasoning, not merely by evaluating the potential outcomes of accepting or rejecting that statement. This approach can lead to faulty conclusions because it shifts the focus from factual assessment to a subjective evaluation of consequences, risking the integrity of the argument.