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Reductio ad absurdum - Wikipedia

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In logic, reductio ad absurdum (Latin for "reduction to absurdity"), also known as argumentum ad absurdum (Latin for "argument to absurdity") or apagogical arguments, is the form of argument that attempts to establish a claim by showing that the opposite scenario would lead to absurdity or contradiction.[1][2][3][4] This argument form traces back to Ancient Greek philosophy and has been used throughout history in both formal mathematical and philosophical reasoning, as well as in debate. Formally, the proof technique is captured by an axiom for "Reductio ad Absurdum", normally given the abbreviation RAA, which is expressible in propositional logic. This axiom is the introduction rule for negation (see negation introduction) and it is sometimes named to make this connection clear. It is a consequence of the related mathematical proof technique called proof by contradiction. The "absurd" conclusion of a reductio ad absurdum argument can take a range of forms, as these examples show: The

Reductio ad absurdum - Wikipedia Jump to content From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Argument that leads to a logical absurdity Reductio ad absurdum , painting by John Pettie exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1884 In logic , reductio ad absurdum ( Latin for "reduction to absurdity"), also known as argumentum ad absurdum ( Latin for "argument to absurdity"), apagogical argument , or proof by contradiction , is the form of argument that attempts to establish a claim by showing that following the logic of a contrary proposition or argument would lead to absurdity or contradiction . [ 1 ] [ 2 ]

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