ignoratio elenchi

ignoratio elenchi [ˌɪgnəˈreɪʃɪəʊ ɪˈlɛŋkaɪ]

n Logic

1. (Philosophy / Logic) a purported refutation of a proposition that does not in fact prove it false but merely establishes a related but strictly irrelevant proposition

2. (Philosophy / Logic) the fallacy of arguing in this way

[Latin: an ignorance of proof, translating Greek elenchou agnoia]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

ignoratio elenchi - the logical fallacy of supposing that an argument proving an irrelevant point has proved the point at issue logical fallacy - a fallacy in logical argumentation