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

Derived Forms

• paˌraloˈgistic, adjective
• paˈralogist, noun

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

Finally, according to this theory of Dr. T., he and all those who reason like him, are chargeable, I think, with a palpable paralogism they reason in a circle.

From Project Gutenberg

The poets accept the existence of the gods from the common notion of men, and then treat all that relates to these deities in accordance with this system of paralogism.

From Project Gutenberg

I certainly agree to all the rest with you, but Aristotle's law I think involves a paralogism, for by this argument the heavens should be immobile since they are in a place fitting their nature.

From Project Gutenberg

As it is said by the author of the Nyáya-nirváṇa: The proof of the permanence of the transitory, as being both permanent and transitory, is a paralogism.

From Project Gutenberg

On this dualistic basis, the ontological argument becomes a manifest paralogism, and lies open to all the objections that Kant brought against it.

From Project Gutenberg