sophism

/'sɔfizm/

Thân thiện

A student points out a sophism in a classroom debate.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone: A sophism is a clever but false argument, especially one used to deceive or to appear knowledgeable. It is a fallacious piece of reasoning that seems plausible on the surface but is logically unsound.

Usage

• The word "sophism" is used to describe a specific type of flawed argument. It is a formal term, often used in academic contexts like philosophy, rhetoric, or logic to critique deceptive reasoning.
• It is typically used as a countable noun (e.g., "a sophism," "several sophisms").

Examples

• Noun:
  • The politician's claim was exposed as a clever sophism designed to mislead the public.
  • In his essay, the philosopher carefully dismantled the ancient sophism.
  • Don't be fooled by that line of reasoning; it's a classic sophism.

Advanced Usage

• "To commit/promulgate a sophism": To put forward or spread a deceptive argument.
  • The debater was accused of committing a sophism to win the argument.
• "A web of sophisms": A complex series of interconnected false arguments.
  • His entire theory was built upon a web of sophisms.

Variants and Related Words

• Sophist (n): Historically, a teacher of rhetoric and philosophy in ancient Greece; now often used to mean a person who uses clever but fallacious arguments.
  • He was known as a sophist who could argue any side of an issue.
• Sophistic (adj): Relating to or characteristic of sophists or sophistry.
  • His sophistic arguments were difficult to refute on the spot.
• Sophistry (n): The use of sophisms; subtly deceptive reasoning or argumentation.
  • The debate was full of clever sophistry but lacked real substance.

Synonyms

• Fallacy: A mistaken belief or a flawed argument.
• Casuistry: The use of clever but unsound reasoning, especially in relation to moral questions.
• Quibble: A slight objection or criticism, often about a trivial matter; can imply a petty sophism.

Antonyms

• Sound argument: An argument that is logically valid and based on true premises.
• Valid reasoning: Reasoning that correctly follows logical rules.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To engage in sophistry": To practice the use of deceptive arguments.
  • The lawyer was not presenting facts but engaging in pure sophistry.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone

Từ đồng nghĩa

• sophistry
• sophistication