eristical
Definition
- Adjective:
- Given to disputation for its own sake: Describes a person who is inclined to argue or debate, not necessarily to reach the truth or a resolution, but simply for the pleasure of arguing.
- Often employing specious arguments: Characterized by using arguments that seem plausible or true but are actually deceptive, fallacious, or misleading.
Usage and Examples
- Adjective:
- The eristical student would challenge every point the professor made, not to learn but to provoke a reaction.
- Her eristical nature made committee meetings exhausting, as she would debate even the most trivial details.
- He avoided eristical discussions, preferring conversations aimed at genuine understanding.
Advanced Usage
- In a philosophical or rhetorical context: The term is often used to describe a style of argumentation focused on winning a debate rather than discovering truth, historically contrasted with dialectical reasoning.
- Socrates distinguished between dialectical inquiry, which seeks truth, and eristical argument, which seeks victory.
Variants and Related Words
Eristic (adj/n): The more common form, identical in meaning. Can also be a noun for a person who engages in such arguments or for the art of disputation itself.
- Noun: He was known as an eristic, always ready for a fight.
- Noun: The study of eristic was important to the Sophists.
Eristically (adv): In an eristical manner.
- He argued eristically, more interested in scoring points than in the topic.
Synonyms
- Argumentative: Inclined to argue.
- Contentious: Causing or likely to cause an argument; quarrelsome.
- Disputatious: Fond of or causing heated arguments.
- Polemical: Relating to strong verbal or written arguments against an opinion or doctrine.
Antonyms
- Conciliatory: Intended or likely to placate or pacify.
- Agreeable: Willing to agree to something.
- Cooperative: Involving mutual assistance in working toward a common goal.
Adjective
-
given to disputation for its own sake and often employing specious arguments
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