Illogically

Illogically is an English adverb formed from the adjective illogical with the standard suffix -ly. It describes actions, arguments, or reasoning that do not adhere to the principles of logic or that appear counter to reason. The term is used in both everyday language and formal writing to indicate a departure from logical standards.

Usage and nuance: Illogically is typically employed when reasoning or behavior lacks justification, relies on fallacies, or ignores relevant evidence. It can imply cognitive bias, emotional influence, or a deliberate disregard for logical norms. In more formal contexts, writers may prefer precise descriptions of the specific error rather than labeling an entire action as illogical.

Examples: The plaintiff illogically assumed guilt based on a single testimony. The model illogically treats correlation as causation. She illogically dismissed data that contradicted her hypothesis.

Relation to related terms: Illogically is the adverbial form of illogical; related terms include logic, illogic, logically, rationally, and irrationally. The distinction between illogical and non-logical can be subtle; illogical usually signals a violation of logical standards rather than an absence of formal logic.

Notes: Because illogically conveys a subjective assessment of reasoning, its use should be careful in objective or technical writing, where specific arguments or fallacies are more informative than a general label.