illogicality
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪlˌɒdʒɪkˈælɪtɪ/
US
- /ɪlˌɑːdʒɪkˈælɪti/
Description
- lack of logic
- poor reasoning
- senselessness
Illogicality describes the quality of not making sense or not following clear reason. It's more than just a small mistake; it points to a basic problem in the way something is explained or understood. Think about someone trying to explain why cats can fly. That explanation would be full of illogicality. Sometimes people show illogicality when they are driven more by emotion than by reason. A detective might point out the illogicality of a suspect's alibi and show the holes in the story.
Illogicality isn't always intentional. We all fall into it sometimes, especially when we jump to conclusions or let bias cloud our judgment. It is the opposite of sound reasoning and can lead to poor decisions or misunderstandings. You might find illogicality in arguments, political debates, or even everyday conversations.
Illogicality refers to the state or quality of lacking logical consistency or reason. It's not simply being incorrect; it's a deeper flaw in thinking, where conclusions do not follow from the premises, or where arguments are based on faulty assumptions. For example, believing that wearing a lucky hat will guarantee your team wins is an instance of illogicality, because there is no rational connection between the two events.
The word often appears when discussing flawed reasoning, fallacies in argument, or irrational behavior. A philosopher might analyze the illogicality of a particular belief system, while a scientist would strive to eliminate illogicality from their research methods.
Illogicality can appear in many ways: through contradictions, unsupported claims, hasty generalizations, or appeals to emotion instead of evidence. It's often used to critique arguments or expose weaknesses in someone's thinking. You might say, "There was a clear illogicality in his explanation for the missing funds," implying that his story didn't add up.
While everyone is prone to occasional lapses in logic, persistent illogicality can be problematic, hindering problem-solving, fueling conflict, and leading to poor judgment. Recognizing and addressing illogicality, both in ourselves and others, is crucial for clear thinking and effective communication. So, when something just doesn't add up, you're likely seeing illogicality at work.
Examples
- 1
Legal inconsistency
The judge questioned the illogicality of a law that treats the same act differently in two towns.
- 2
Argument flaw
I can follow most of his argument, but there is one illogicality in it that he never explains.
Pattern
an illogicality in + argument/system/text
one specific part that does not make sense
- 3
Film review
The review praised the film's dialogue while noting a few plot illogicalities.
Grammar
illogicalities
the plural form, used for several separate problems
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- illogicalitynoun