sophism

English

Etymology 1

From Ancient Greek σοφισμός (sophismós, “wisdom, learnedness”), derived from σοφία (sophía, “wisdom, learning”) +‎ -ism. The English definition of Sophism was corrupted after Plato condemned Greek sophists who charged for their personal rhetorics, often giving fallacious and deceptive reasoning for young noblemen seeking political office.

Noun

sophism (countable and uncountable, plural sophisms)

  1. A method of teaching using the techniques of philosophy and rhetoric.
  2. (informal) A flawed argument, superficially correct in its reasoning, usually designed to deceive.
  3. (informal) An intentional fallacy.
Translations
See also

Noun

sophism (uncountable)

  1. Archaic spelling of Sufism.[1]

References
  1. sofi, sophism in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
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