reductio ad absurdum Hear it!

reductio ad absurdum Definition

re·duc·tio· ad ab·sur·dum (ri duk′tē ō′ ad ab sʉr′dəm, -s̸hē ō′)

noun

Logic the proof of a proposition by showing its opposite to be an obvious falsity or self-contradiction, or the disproof of a proposition by showing its consequences to be impossible or absurd

Etymology: L, reduction to absurdity

reductio ad absurdum Law Definition

n

Latin

Reduction to the absurd. In logic, disproving an argument by demonstrating that it leads to a ridiculous conclusion.