Sophism

Sophism
Sophism Soph"ism, n. [F. sophisme, L. sophisma, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to make wise, ? to be become wise, to play the sophist, fr. ? wise.] The doctrine or mode of reasoning practiced by a sophist; hence, any fallacy designed to deceive. [1913 Webster]

When a false argument puts on the appearance of a true one, then it is properly called a sophism, or ``fallacy''. --I. Watts. [1913 Webster]

Let us first rid ourselves of sophisms, those of depraved men, and those of heartless philosophers. --I. Taylor. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Sophism — can mean two very different things: In the modern definition, a sophism is a confusing or illogical argument used for deceiving someone. In Ancient Greece, the sophists were a group of teachers of philosophy and rhetoric.The term sophism… …   Wikipedia

  • sophism — mid 14c., specious but fallacious argument, from O.Fr. sophime a fallacy, false argument, from L. sophisma, from Gk. sophisma sophism, clever device, from sophizesthai become wise (see SOPHIST (Cf. sophist)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • sophism — index fallacy, non sequitur Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • sophism — sophistry, casuistry, *fallacy …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • sophism — ► NOUN ▪ a false argument, especially one used to deceive. ORIGIN Greek sophisma clever device , from sophizesthai devise, become wise …   English terms dictionary

  • sophism — [säf′iz΄əm] n. [altered (infl. by L) < ME sophime < OFr soffime < L sophisma < Gr < sophizesthai, to play the sophist < sophos, clever, skillful, wise] a clever and plausible but fallacious argument or form of reasoning, whether …   English World dictionary

  • sophism —   n. deceptive or fallacious argument.    ♦ sophist, n. fallacious arguer.    ♦ sophistic(al),   a.    ♦ sophisticate, v.i. make artificial or worldly; corrupt.    ♦ sopyistry, n. sophism, or use of sophism; mere empty argument …   Dictionary of difficult words

  • sophism — noun Date: 15th century 1. an argument apparently correct in form but actually invalid; especially such an argument used to deceive 2. sophistry 1 …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • sophism — /sof iz euhm/, n. 1. a specious argument for displaying ingenuity in reasoning or for deceiving someone. 2. any false argument; fallacy. [1300 50; < L sophisma sophistry < Gk sóphisma orig., acquired skill, method, deriv. of sophízesthai to act… …   Universalium

  • sophism — noun A flawed argument superficially correct in its reasoning, usually designed to deceive. An intentional fallacy. See Also: sophist, sophistic, sophisticate, sophisticated, sophistry …   Wiktionary

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