Sophism: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ค
sophism
[ หsษfษชzษm ]
logical fallacy
A sophism is a deceptive or misleading argument that seems valid on the surface but is actually fallacious. It is often used in philosophical, political, or rhetorical contexts to persuade or confuse others. Sophisms can be intentionally constructed to mislead or can arise from erroneous reasoning.
Synonyms
fallacy, misleading argument, rhetorical trick, specious argument.
Examples of usage
- The politician's speech was full of sophisms designed to sway public opinion.
- Philosophers often critique sophisms for their lack of logical soundness.
- In debates, sophisms can distract from the real issues at hand.
Translations
Translations of the word "sophism" in other languages:
๐ต๐น sofisma
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเฅเคซเคผเคฟเคเคผเฅเคฎ
๐ฉ๐ช Sophismus
๐ฎ๐ฉ sofisme
๐บ๐ฆ ัะพััะทะผ
๐ต๐ฑ sofizmat
๐ฏ๐ต ใฝใใฃใบใ
๐ซ๐ท sophisme
๐ช๐ธ sofisma
๐น๐ท sofizm
๐ฐ๐ท ์ํผ์ฆ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุณูุณุทุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ sofismus
๐ธ๐ฐ sofizmus
๐จ๐ณ ่ฏก่พฉ
๐ธ๐ฎ sofizem
๐ฎ๐ธ sofismi
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะพัะธะทะผ
๐ฌ๐ช แกแแคแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ sofizma
๐ฒ๐ฝ sofisma
Etymology
The term 'sophism' originates from the ancient Greek word 'sophisma', which means 'a clever or cunning argument'. It derives from 'sophistes', meaning 'wise person' or 'sage', often referring to those who were skilled in crafting arguments and rhetoric. In classical Greece, sophists were educators who taught persuasive speaking and the art of argumentation, but they sometimes fell under criticism for their use of deceptive reasoning. Over time, the term 'sophism' evolved to specifically denote arguments that are designed to mislead or deceive, particularly in logic and philosophy.