Reductio ad absurdum

A reductio ad absurdum is used to disprove an argument by showing that its reasoning or consequences are absurd. An example would be the "Consume Nothing Day" video showing the logical conclusion of the principles behind "Buy Nothing Day." Frédéric Bastiat was considered by Henry Hazlitt the master of reductio ad absurdum, his supreme jest being the candlemakers' petition. Tibor Machan, in Putting Humans First, asked, if animals have rights, do we not have a duty to prevent animals from killing or assaulting each other? This was intended as a reductio ad absurdum against animal rights. Sometimes the opposition will preempt one's intended reductio ad absurdum.