reductio ad absurdum

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A 'reduction to absurdity' argument is used to show some particular position cannot be the case as its consequences are either clearly impossible, or contradict one of the assumptions on which the position is based.

[Please be aware that a word may have different nuances, or even a different meaning, according to context.]« Back to Index

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.