paralogism

[ puh-ral-uh-jiz-uhm ]

noun

, Logic.

1. argument violating principles of valid reasoning.
2. a conclusion reached through such argument.

paralogism

/ pəˈræləˌdʒɪzəm /

noun

1. See sophism
   logic psychol an argument that is unintentionally invalid Compare sophism
2. any invalid argument or conclusion

Derived Forms

• paˈralogist, noun
• paˌraloˈgistic, adjective

Other Words From

• pa·ralo·gist noun
• pa·ralo·gistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paralogism¹

1555–65; < Late Latin paralogismus < Greek paralogismós. See para- ¹, logo-, -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of paralogism¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek paralogismos, from paralogizesthai to argue fallaciously, from para- ¹+ -logizesthai, ultimately from logos word

Example Sentences

Thus it is evident that in all such arguments there lurks a paralogism.

From Project Gutenberg

This Paralogism does not concern itself with the nature of the soul.

From Project Gutenberg

This dialectical argument I shall call the transcendental paralogism.

From Project Gutenberg

(Desire of nothing is the most desirable thing, is a paralogism in logic).

From Project Gutenberg

He's quiet enough now, but you just wait till he gets another paralogism.

From Project Gutenberg