Ignoratio Elenchi Law and Legal Definition
Ignoratio Elenchi is a Latin term meaning “ignorance of the conclusion to be proved”. Ignoratio elenchi is an advocate’s misunderstanding of an opponent’s position. It is manifested by an argument that fails to address an opponent’s point. Ignoratio elenchi is a fallacy of logic when an advocate tries to prove something that is immaterial to the point to be decided.
The following is a case law defining ignoratio elenchi:
Ignoratio elenchi is an illogical conclusion in which an argument is proved by proving an utterly unrelated argument.[Klatt v. Klatt, 654 P.2d 733, 738 (Wyo. 1982)]
