Sophism
/ˈsɒf.ɪ.zəm/noun
A fallacious argument, especially one used deliberately to deceive.
Did you know?The term 'sophism' derives from the ancient Greek 'sophistēs', referring to skilled teachers who often blurred the lines between truth and falsehood, practicing rhetoric for persuasive power.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
σοφιστής
“A master of wisdom or knowledge, often with a focus on rhetoric and persuasion.”
4th Century BCE
Greek
σοφισμός
“A subtle or fallacious argument, often used in philosophical debates.”
Latin
Latin
sophisma
“A term borrowed from Greek, used to denote a fallacious argument.”
Middle English
Middle English
sophisme
“Adopted from Latin, retaining the meaning of a deceptive argument.”
Modern English
English
sophism
“A formal term for a fallacious argument, particularly in the context of philosophical discourse.”
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