ARGUMENT AB INCONVENIENTI Meaning and
Definition
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Argumentum ab inconvenienti is a Latin term that refers to a logical argument that is based on the premise that a particular action or belief should be avoided or rejected due to the potential negative consequences or inconveniences that may arise as a result. In other words, this argument claims that a decision or position should be rejected because it will lead to undesirable outcomes, difficulties, or unfavorable circumstances.
This argument type is often used in legal reasoning, wherein lawyers contend that a particular law or legal precedent should be overturned or rejected because it creates too many hardships or inconveniences. It is also employed in ethical debates, where individuals assert that a particular moral principle or behavior should be disregarded because it results in negative consequences or violates established norms.
Argumentum ab inconvenienti seeks to persuade by highlighting the adverse effects or burdens of following a specific course of action, and it assumes that individuals will be swayed by the prospect of avoiding negative outcomes or enduring unnecessary difficulties. This argument technique draws on the persuasive power of fear and appeals to self-interest, aiming to dissuade others from adopting a particular position or taking a specific course of action.
Overall, argumentum ab inconvenienti is a logical device that attempts to convince others by emphasizing the unfavorable or inconvenient ramifications of a decision, action, or belief.
