sophist
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Contents
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Latin sophista, also sophistes, from Ancient Greek σοφιστής (sophistḗs, “pursuer of wisdom”), from σοφίζεσθαι (sophízesthai, “become wise”).
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
sophist (plural sophists)
- One of a class of teachers of rhetoric, philosophy, and politics in ancient Greece.
- (loosely) A teacher who used plausible but fallacious reasoning.
- (loosely, by extension) One who is captious, fallacious, or deceptive in argument.
Usage notes[edit]
- The meaning of "sophist" can vary depending on the time period to which one is referring. A sophist of the earliest period was a master in his art or craft who demonstrated (taught by example) his practical skill/learning in exchange for pay. Later sophists were providers of a well-rounded education intended to give pupils arete – "virtue, human excellence". By late antiquity, sophistḗs / sophistes tended to denote exclusively a skilled public speaker and/or teacher of rhetoric.[1][2]
Synonyms[edit]
- (one who is captious, fallacious, or deceptive in argument): logic chopper
Related terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
ancient teacher of rhetoric, etc.
one who is captious, fallacious, or deceptive in argument
References[edit]
- ^ Dictionary of Philosophy, Dagobert D. Runes (ed.), Philosophical Library, 1962. See: "Sophists" by Max Fishler, p. 295.
- ^ "History of the name ‘Sophist’," Encyclopedia Britannica at www.britannica.com.
