noun
- plural of apagoge; arguments or proofs that establish a conclusion by showing the absurdity or impossibility of the contrary
Usage: formal; logic and rhetoric; also called reductio ad absurdum
Examples
- The philosopher used apagoges to demonstrate that the opposite position led to logical contradiction.
- In formal debate, apagoges are powerful tools for dismantling weak arguments.
- The lawyer's apagoges showed that the defendant's alibi was impossible.
- Ancient Greek logicians frequently employed apagoges in their demonstrations.
- By presenting apagoges, the mathematician proved the theorem without direct construction.