A form of logical argument that proves something by showing that its opposite leads to an absurd or impossible conclusion (reductio ad absurdum).
From Greek 'apagoge,' literally meaning 'to lead away,' referring to the method of leading away from the original position to show its impossibility.
Mathematicians love this technique—Euclid used it to prove things, and it's still one of the most elegant ways to settle an argument: 'If you're right, something ridiculous would have to be true.'
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