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🐛 A parasitic insect 🤔 A logical questioning
elenchus

elenchus

9.9
A way of asking questions to show contradictions in someone's beliefs
  • noun
  • /ɪˈlɛn.kəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : elenquis
  • Through elenchus, Socrates encouraged his students to examine their own beliefs critically.

Examples

  • A skilled debater may employ elenchus to challenge assumptions during a discussion.

  • The professor used elenchus to challenge the student's argument.

  • The philosopher used elenchus to reveal inconsistencies in his opponent's argument.

  • Can you explain the concept of elenchus?

  • The philosopher used elenchus to draw out the inconsistencies in her opponent's argument.

  • During the debate, the technique of elenchus highlighted several contradictions in the speaker's beliefs.

  • By employing elenchus, he was able to expose flaws in the reasoning presented by his peers.

Synonyms

refutation
vselenchus
  • Formal
10 6.8

An argument or evidence that proves a claim wrong

uses questioning to reveal contradictions rather than giving direct proof

Antonyms

agreement
361 1.0

A situation in which people have the same opinion or give their approval

acceptance
104 2.7

Being approved or welcomed by other people

Surface Forms

elenchus singular
elenchi plural

Etymology

Elenchus as a method in logic comes from the Greek elenchos, which means 'examination' or 'refutation'. So an elenchus is a way of 'testing' ideas by asking questions to reveal contradictions, the method Socrates used to challenge people's beliefs.