ignoratio elenchi

American  

[ig-nuh-rey-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

Example Sentences

The learned term the rhetorical device an ignoratio elenchi.

From The Morals of Marcus Ordeyne : a Novel by Locke, William John

Mr. Mill concludes this chapter with another instance of that ignoratio elenchi which has been so abundantly manifested throughout his previous criticisms.

From The Philosophy of the Conditioned by Mansel, Henry Longueville

Define and illustrate:—Paralogism, ignoratio elenchi, fallacia accidentis, argumentum ad verecundiam, illicit process, undistributed middle, etc.

From Logic Deductive and Inductive by Read, Carveth

To deny or ridicule any of these beliefs on physical grounds is to commit the fallacy of ignoratio elenchi.

From On the Genesis of Species by Mivart, St. George

He would not be so humorous about Zeus, nor fall into an ignoratio elenchi.

From Myth, Ritual and Religion — Volume 1 by Lang, Andrew