Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Latin term or phrase:
argumentum au/e-contrario
English translation:
arguement derived from the contrary.
Aug 9, 2002 17:39
21 yrs ago
Latin term
Works in: English to Hindi
excontrario
Latin to English
Art/Literary
Philosophy
philosophy
i think the term is latin....used argumentatively as in
"argumentum excontrario"
"argumentum excontrario"
Proposed translations
(English)
| 5 +2 | Argument from the contrary |
Chris Rowson (X)
|
| 4 +2 | proof from the contrary |
leff
|
| 5 | not an answer |
luskie
|
Proposed translations
+2
13 hrs
Selected
Argument from the contrary
It is indeed Latin, and a term well-known in philosophy and law, dating back to Cicero, although the correct form is "argumentum a contrario".
It means exactly what what it looks like, there are no false friends here. The interpretation as "proof ..." is common, but I see no reason for it. This is one of the eight principal types of argument for the truth of something; another is the "argumentum ex silentio", which no-one translates as "proof", it is always the "argument from silence". See reference.
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Note added at 2002-08-10 10:41:00 (GMT)
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And it is in the end, no proof. Actually, these arguments are sometimes referred to as the \"material fallacies\", because they are brought forward as if they were proof, but are not.
It means exactly what what it looks like, there are no false friends here. The interpretation as "proof ..." is common, but I see no reason for it. This is one of the eight principal types of argument for the truth of something; another is the "argumentum ex silentio", which no-one translates as "proof", it is always the "argument from silence". See reference.
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Note added at 2002-08-10 10:41:00 (GMT)
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And it is in the end, no proof. Actually, these arguments are sometimes referred to as the \"material fallacies\", because they are brought forward as if they were proof, but are not.
1 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+2
19 mins
proof from the contrary
argumentum ex contrario (L): proof from the contrary
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
luskie
: and never saw one without the hyphen...
57 mins
|
| agree |
David Wigtil
: Note: As "leff" has written, the Latin phrase is *two* words: "ex contrario."
2 hrs
|
2 hrs
luskie
Works in field
not an answer
erratum: sorry, I meant to point out that I've never seen one without the separation of the two words...
(thanks to Loquamur :)
(thanks to Loquamur :)
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