Refutation

Refutation is the process of rationally discrediting an argument by revealing weaknesses in it or by presenting an effective counter-argument to it.

This involves demonstrating that insufficient grounds have been provided to accept the argument’s conclusion by showing that at least one of the reasons presented is dubious, or that the argument isn’t sound or strong, or by showing that the conclusion is false.

Refutation should not be confused with repudiation which simply means denying that a statement is true – without any expectation of or thought that it is necessary to offer proof that this is so.

(see also: contradict, deny, reasoning, reasonableness»rational, critical thinking, falsification, argument, soundness, problem of adequacy, persuasion/persuasiveness, fallacy, reasoning, conclusion, claim, evidence, (hidden) assumptions, establish, support, ground, justification, controversies, reasonableness, critical thinking, falsification)