Sophistry

Sophistry is a method of argument that is seemingly plausible though actually invalid and misleading. The term comes from ancient Greece, and the sophists were a group of teachers of rhetoric and philosophy in the 5th century BC. Sophistry is often associated with fallacious reasoning and specious arguments.

History

The term sophistry originated from the Greek word sophistēs, which means "wise man" or "expert". The sophists were itinerant professional teachers and intellectuals who frequented Athens and other Greek cities in the second half of the fifth century B.C.E. Protagoras is generally regarded as the first of these professional sophists. Gorgias, another of the well-known sophists, is credited with teaching Euripides his rhetorical skills.

Sophists

Sophists were known for their ability to make the weaker (or worse) argument appear the stronger (or better). They were often seen as intellectual and moral relativists, which led to a negative connotation of the term sophistry. The sophists' philosophy contains criticisms of religion, law, and ethics. Although many sophists were apparently as religious as their contemporaries, some held atheistic or agnostic views (for example, Protagoras and Critias).

Modern usage

In modern usage, sophistry is a derogatory term for rhetoric that is designed to appeal to the listener on grounds other than the strict logical validity of the statements being made. Some synonyms for sophistry include chicanery, obfuscation, and quibbling.

See also

• Rhetoric
• Fallacy
• Intellectual dishonesty
• Casuistry

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