Reductio ad absurdum (
Latin: "reduction to absurdity";
pl.:
reductiones ad absurdum), also known as
argumentum ad absurdum (Latin: "argument to absurdity",
pl.:
argumenta ad absurdum), is a common form of
argument which seeks to demonstrate that a statement is true by showing that a false, untenable, or
absurd result
follows from its denial, or in turn to demonstrate that a statement is false by showing that a false, untenable, or absurd result follows from its acceptance.