ignoratio elenchi

American  

[ig-nuh-ray-shee-oh i-leng-kahy, -kee] / ˌɪg nəˈreɪ ʃiˌoʊ ɪˈlɛŋ kaɪ, -ki /

noun

Logic.

1. the fallacy of offering proof irrelevant to the proposition in question.

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ignoratio elenchi British  

/ ˌɪɡnəˈreɪʃɪəʊ ɪˈlɛŋkaɪ /

noun

1. a purported refutation of a proposition that does not in fact prove it false but merely establishes a related but strictly irrelevant proposition

2. the fallacy of arguing in this way

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Etymology

Origin of ignoratio elenchi

1580–90; < Latin ignōrātiō elenchī literally, ignorance of the refutation; see elenchus

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ignoratio elenchi

To prove this is an ignoratio elenchi; what the Sophist undertakes to prove is that Achilles will never overtake it, and he really proves that Achilles passes it between the 111th and 112th yards.

From Logic, Inductive and Deductive by William Minto

Throw the ignoratio elenchi in his teeth, and, at once, you have him annihilated.

From The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 4 by Edgar Allan Poe

His whole paper is an ignoratio elenchi, and he doesn't touch a single one of my positions.

From The Letters of William James, Vol. II by William James

If, indeed, an opponent challenges the truth of the conclusion, and you adduce premisses necessarily containing it as a refutation, that is an ignoratio elenchi unless your opponent admits those premisses.

From Logic, Inductive and Deductive by William Minto

The whole of Mr. Mansel’s argument for the inconceivability of the Infinite and of the Absolute is one long ignoratio elenchi.

From The Philosophy of the Conditioned by Henry Longueville Mansel

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