Reductio-ad-absurdum
[ri-duhk-tee-oh ad ab-sur-duh m, -zur-, -shee-oh] /rɪˈdʌk tiˌoʊ ˈæd æbˈsɜr dəm, -ˈzɜr-, -ʃiˌoʊ/
noun, Logic.
1.
a reduction to an absurdity; the refutation of a proposition by demonstrating the inevitably absurd conclusion to which it would logically lead.
reductio ad absurdum
/rɪˈdʌktɪəʊ æd æbˈsɜːdəm/
noun
1.
a method of disproving a proposition by showing that its inevitable consequences would be absurd
2.
a method of indirectly proving a proposition by assuming its negation to be true and showing that this leads to an absurdity
3.
application of a principle or proposed principle to an instance in which it is absurd
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