Reductio ad absurdum: Difference between revisions
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This article is incomplete. Reductio ad absurdum refers not only to the logical fallacy but also to the concept that a statement can be shown to be false if its truth would lead to a false or contradictory statement being accepted as true. See http://www.iep.utm.edu/reductio/ the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy by Nicholas Rescher and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_by_contradiction the wiki article referencing reductio ad absurdum as a more general case |
This article is incomplete. Reductio ad absurdum refers not only to the logical fallacy but also to the concept that a statement can be shown to be false if its truth would lead to a false or contradictory statement being accepted as true. See http://www.iep.utm.edu/reductio/ the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy by Nicholas Rescher and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_by_contradiction the wiki article referencing reductio ad absurdum as a more general case of proof by contradiction. |
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'''''Reductio ad absurdum''''' (Latin: "reduction to absurdity") is a common form of [[logical fallacy]] in which a [[proposition]] is purported to be disproved by reduction to absurdity in reasoning or consequence.<ref name="IEP">{{cite web |url=http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/r/reductio.htm |work = The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy |title = Reductio ad absurdum |author = Nicholas Rescher |accessdate = 21 July 09}}</ref> It is similar to [[appeal to ridicule|reductio ad ridiculum]] in that its success relies on sentiment rather than reason. |
'''''Reductio ad absurdum''''' (Latin: "reduction to absurdity") is a common form of [[logical fallacy]] in which a [[proposition]] is purported to be disproved by reduction to absurdity in reasoning or consequence.<ref name="IEP">{{cite web |url=http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/r/reductio.htm |work = The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy |title = Reductio ad absurdum |author = Nicholas Rescher |accessdate = 21 July 09}}</ref> It is similar to [[appeal to ridicule|reductio ad ridiculum]] in that its success relies on sentiment rather than reason. |
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Revision as of 00:15, 21 June 2012
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Appeal to ridicule. (Discuss) Proposed since June 2012. |
This article is incomplete. Reductio ad absurdum refers not only to the logical fallacy but also to the concept that a statement can be shown to be false if its truth would lead to a false or contradictory statement being accepted as true. See http://www.iep.utm.edu/reductio/ the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy by Nicholas Rescher and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_by_contradiction the wiki article referencing reductio ad absurdum as a more general case of proof by contradiction.
Reductio ad absurdum (Latin: "reduction to absurdity") is a common form of logical fallacy in which a proposition is purported to be disproved by reduction to absurdity in reasoning or consequence.[1] It is similar to reductio ad ridiculum in that its success relies on sentiment rather than reason.
Simple examples of reductio ad absurdum are:
- If that’s so, then I’m a monkey’s uncle.
- If that is true, then pigs can fly.
- If he did that, then I’m the Shah of Persia.
Reductio ad absurdum should be contrasted from a similar and irrational argument known as a straw man. A straw man tactic relies on constructing an argument against an inaccurate representation of the original proposition.
See also
References
- ^ Nicholas Rescher. "Reductio ad absurdum". The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved 21 July 09.
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