Illogicality: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'illogicus', where 'in-' means 'not' and 'logicus' means 'logical'.
• It entered English usage in the 19th century, extending the concept of logic into its opposite.
• Related terms include 'illogic' and 'illogical', which also describe reasoning that lacks clarity.

Philosophy

• Philosophers like Ludwig Wittgenstein discussed how language can lead to illogical conclusions.
• The 'Law of non-contradiction' argues that contradictory statements cannot both be true, highlighting good reasoning.
• Some philosophical debates, such as those around paradoxes, often explore what happens in the realm of illogical thought.

Psychology

• Cognitive biases, like confirmation bias, often lead people to form illogical beliefs based on selective reasoning.
• Illogicality can be associated with mental health issues like anxiety, where irrational thinking patterns can emerge.
• The study of logic in psychology helps understand how people can misinterpret or poorly analyze situations.

Literature

• Many authors, such as Lewis Carroll in 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland', embraced illogicality to challenge traditional thought.
• Surrealism in art and literature often relies on illogical sequences to provoke deeper meanings and emotional responses.
• Absurdist novels, like those of Franz Kafka, frequently depict characters grappling with illogical realities.

Everyday Examples

• Common sayings, like 'easy as pie' when something is actually difficult, can highlight illogical comparisons.
• Political debates frequently feature statements that seem illogical when scrutinized closely, leading to heated discussions.
• Jokes often rely on illogicality, where the punchline introduces an unexpected and nonsensical twist.

Ranking #38,092, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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