Definition of Sophestry

Definition of Sophestry

Soph"ist*ry (?), n. [OE. sophistrie, OF. sophisterie.] 1. The art or process of reasoning; logic. [Obs.]

2. The practice of a sophist; fallacious reasoning; reasoning sound in appearance only.

The juggle of sophistry consists, for the most part, in usig a word in one sense in the premise, and in another sense in the conclusion.

Coleridge.

Syn. -- See Fallacy.

Soph"ist*ry (?), n. [OE. sophistrie, OF. sophisterie.] 1. The art or process of reasoning; logic. [Obs.]

2. The practice of a sophist; fallacious reasoning; reasoning sound in appearance only.

The juggle of sophistry consists, for the most part, in usig a word in one sense in the premise, and in another sense in the conclusion.

Coleridge.

Syn. -- See Fallacy.

- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

SOPHISTRY, n. The controversial method of an opponent, distinguished
from one's own by superior insincerity and fooling. This method is
that of the later Sophists, a Grecian sect of philosophers who began
by teaching wisdom, prudence, science, art and, in brief, whatever men
ought to know, but lost themselves in a maze of quibbles and a fog of
words.

His bad opponent's "facts" he sweeps away,
And drags his sophistry to light of day;
Then swears they're pushed to madness who resort
To falsehood of so desperate a sort.
Not so; like sods upon a dead man's breast,
He lies most lightly who the least is pressed.

Polydore Smith

- 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

an argument that is plausible but fallacious or misleading, especially one devised deliberately to be so

- The Nuttall Encyclopedia

You arrived at this page by searching for Sophestry
The correct Spelling of this word is: Sophistry

Thank you for visiting FreeFactFinder. On our home page you will find extensive articles covering a wide range of topics.

Home | A to Z | About | Contact Us | Related Links