reductio ad absurdum

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re·duc·ti·o ad ab·sur·dum / rəˈdəktēˌō ˌad əbˈsərdəm; -ˈdəkshēˌō/ • n. Philos. a method of proving the falsity of a premise by showing that its logical consequence is absurd or contradictory.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

Reductio Ad Absurdum

views updated May 18 2018

REDUCTIO AD ABSURDUM

[Latin, Reduction to absurdity.] In logic, a method employed to disprove an argument by illustrating how it leads to an absurd consequence.

West's Encyclopedia of American Law

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