Reductio Ad Absurdum Definition

rĭ-dŭktē-ō ăd əb-sûrdəm, -zûr-, -shē-ō
reductio-ad-absurdum
noun
The proof of a proposition by showing its opposite to be an obvious falsity or self-contradiction, or the disproof of a proposition by showing its consequences to be impossible or absurd.
Webster's New World
Reduction to the absurd. In logic, disproving an argument by demonstrating that it leads to a ridiculous conclusion.
Webster's New World Law

(mathematics, logic) The method of proving a statement by assuming the statement is false and, with that assumption, arriving at a blatant contradiction.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:
  • reductio

Other Word Forms of Reductio Ad Absurdum

Noun

Singular:
reductio ad absurdum
Plural:
reductios ad absurdum

Origin of Reductio Ad Absurdum

  • Medieval Latin reductiō ad absurdum Latin reductiō a bringing back, reduction Latin ad to Latin absurdum absurdity from neuter of absurdus absurd

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Reductio Ad Absurdum Sentence Examples

  • The Treatise is a reductio ad absurdum of the principles of Lockianism, inasmuch as these principles, when consistently applied, leave the structure of experience entirely " loosened " (to use Hume's own expression), or cemented together only by the irrational force of custom.

  • As a human person, I am body and soul; and the idealistic identification of the Ego with soul or mind, involving the corollary that my body belongs to the non-Ego and is no part of myself, is the reductio ad absurdum of idealism.

  • Such a position is a reductio ad absurdum of the attempt to transcend the ultimate character of those intuitions and feelings which prompt men to benevolence.

  • Some subtle clues leading to a reductio ading to a reductio ad absurdum proof that this scheme is flawed can be found in the original text.

  • Some subtle clues leading to a reductio ad absurdum proof that this scheme is flawed can be found in the original text.

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