Is there a formal name for a "wrong question"?

For example, if someone asked "Why is the sky green?", you would not even be able to answer it because the question itself is wrong (edit: assuming that the sky was in fact blue). Is there a formal name for this kind of phrase/question?


Let us assume for the purpose of argument that the sky cannot be green (although as commented, it may be green in some circumstances).

The question is then based on a

false premise = an incorrect proposition that forms the basis of an argument or syllogism. Since the premise (proposition, or assumption) is not correct, the conclusion drawn may be in error. However, the logical validity of an argument is a function of its internal consistency, not the truth value of its premises.

Wikipedia

Contemporary examples might be "Why is the world flat?" or the current American president's saying "Why did I win the election?". With careful bias and factual cherry picking, both might be pursued logically for a while but eventually run up against reality and lose validity.

Such questions might therefore be described as false premise questions; I only offer this phrase; I cannot think of a single word that expresses this concept.


It can be referred to as a false premise, as it is premised on the idea that the sky is green. It can also be called a loaded question:

A loaded question or complex question is a question that contains a controversial assumption (e.g., a presumption of guilt).[1]

The question contains the assumption that the sky is green.


These are sometimes call Mu questions.

The term derives from Japanese, and is rooted in Zen Buddhism traditions of illogical and rhetorically-impossible word/mind puzzles.