What is ignoratio elenchi?
Q: What is ignoratio elenchi?
A: Ignoratio elenchi is an informal fallacy where an argument that may be valid, does not address the issue in question.
Q: What does "elenchi" mean?
A: "Elenchi" is from the Greek word "έλεγχος," meaning an argument of disproof or refutation.
Q: What does Aristotle believe about ignoratio elenchi?
A: Aristotle believed that ignoratio elenchi is a mistake made by a questioner while attempting to falsify a respondent's argument, and it amounts to ignorance of logic.
Q: Can logical fallacies be reduced to ignoratio elenchi, according to Aristotle?
A: Yes, Aristotle goes so far as to say that all logical fallacies can be reduced to what he calls ignoratio elenchi.
Q: Is the kind of mistake described in the first paragraph the only way that ignoratio elenchi is used in modern times?
A: Yes, modern use limits this term much more narrowly to the kind of mistake described in the first paragraph above.
Q: What is the translation of "ignoratio elenchi"?
A: "Ignoratio elenchi" can be roughly translated by ignorance of refutation or ignorance of what a refutation is.
Q: What is another name for ignoratio elenchi?
A: Ignoratio elenchi is also known as irrelevant conclusion or irrelevant thesis.
