reductio
3
9.9
- noun
- /rɪˈdʌk.ti.oʊ/
- Formal
:
reductio
- It's hard to make a comparison that doesn't sound like a reductio ad absurdum argument.
- reductio ad absurdum
Examples
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Kelo represents the reductio ad absurdum of the Supreme Court's takings clause jurisprudence.
Blog text (34) -
The doctrine of national self-determination reaches its reductio ad absurdum at this point.
Academic text (2008) -
Yes, that's a bit of a reductio ad absurdum, but seriously!
Blog text (16) -
You would have thought that this is the ultimate reductio ad absurdum, but no, they seem to actually believe that this means reality doesn't exist.
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In the New Essays, Leibniz offers a reductio ad absurdum argument against this view.
Academic text (1998) -
Such reductio ad absurdum arguments show the absurdity of logic at work in the Court's decision.
Academic text (1990) -
And I compliment you on a beautiful example of reductio ad absurdum in regard to your argument on Nordquist.
Blog text (9) -
Robinson dismantles the idea of modern distinctiveness by wielding an ancient rhetorical technique, reductio ad absurdum, with wicked skill.
Academic text (2010) -
The philosopher used a reductio to demonstrate that accepting the premise would lead to an absurd conclusion.
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In his debate, he effectively employed a reductio to refute his opponent's argument by showing its contradictions.
Synonyms
10
6.8
An argument or evidence that proves a claim wrong
1
9.9
A way of arguing that shows a claim leads to something impossible or silly
Showing that an idea or statement is wrong by using facts and reasons
An act of showing that an idea or claim is wrong
Compounds
- Formal
1
9.9
A way of arguing that shows a claim leads to something impossible or silly
Surface Forms
Etymology
Reductio comes from the Latin verb reducere, meaning 'to lead back', and is related to the everyday English word reduce. In logic, a reductio 'leads back' a claim to its consequences—often a contradiction or a silly result—so you can show the claim must be false.