Reductio Ad Absurdum

1. (reduction to the absurd) a disproof by showing that the consequences of the proposition are absurd; or a proof of a proposition by showing that its negation leads to a contradiction Read More »

Source: http://www.audioenglish.net/dictionary/reductio_ad_absurdum.htm

What's the difference between a straw man argument, and reductio ...

A straw man is putting up a 'fake' case and then attacking it and (surprise, surprise) knocking it to bits. Reductio ad absurdum is taking an argument, and then following a logical sequence of steps showing that it leads to a bizzare (absur... Read More »

Source: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080501104827AA215Li

What is an example of reductio ad absurdum in a work of satirical...

Reductio ad absurdum: disproving an argument by following it to it's logical (and absurd) extremes. Swift was a passionate supporter of Irish human rights. Completely at odds with the English ruling class at that time which was only concern... Read More »

Source: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111130114546AA0JGBw

Why did Bertrand call Cournot's model reductio ad absurdum?

Because there is no learning in the game - the Cournot game is a one-shot game and each time it is started again, the players arrive at the same outcome. So it's not really a representative model of much in reality. Source(s): Economics deg... Read More »

Source: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091227113711AAv2okO

In philosophy or religion, what do you believe to be the ultimate...

Something cannot come from nothing, so God created it. Read More »

Source: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070814073942AAX0Gb1