display all the ideas for this combination of philosophers
1 idea
3678 | Reductio ad absurdum proves an idea by showing that its denial produces contradiction [Friend] |
Full Idea: Reductio ad absurdum arguments are ones that start by denying what one wants to prove. We then prove a contradiction from this 'denied' idea and more reasonable ideas in one's theory, showing that we were wrong in denying what we wanted to prove. | |
From: Michèle Friend (Introducing the Philosophy of Mathematics [2007], 2.3) | |
A reaction: This is a mathematical definition, which rests on logical contradiction, but in ordinary life (and philosophy) it would be enough to show that denial led to absurdity, rather than actual contradiction. |