Reduction and Absurdum

This concept is also known as indirect proof. Under the right circumstances, this tool can be effective. It is considered the process of indirect proof by pursuing a subject to the point where it can either be proven or contradicted. The main point of this is to attack the proposition instead of trying to uphold its negation.

This process is open to abuse and the proof usually involves taking an opponents position and “stretching it to its logical conclusion.” One must be careful because if it is stretched to much, it creates a fallacious counter-argument.