formal fallacy

noun

: a violation of any rule of formal inference

called also paralogism

contrasted with material fallacy and verbal fallacy
compare affirmation of the consequent, denial of the antecedent, ignoratio elenchi, illicit process, petitio principii

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“Formal fallacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formal%20fallacy. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

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