A sophist (Greek: σοφιστής, romanized: sophistēs) was a teacher in ancient Greece in the fifth and fourth centuries BCE. Sophists specialized in one or more subject areas, such as philosophy, rhetoric, music, athletics and mathematics. They taught arete, "virtue" or "excellence", predominantly to young statesmen and nobility.

A sophism is a statement to deceive someone in a debate or conversation to make themselves look right when they are wrong. Sophism sometimes shows up as difficult words and complicated sentences to coerce the audience into agreeing with them.

The meaning of SOPHISM is an argument apparently correct in form but actually invalid; especially : such an argument used to deceive.

Apr 5, 2025 · Sophist, any of certain Greek lecturers, writers, and teachers in the 5th and 4th centuries bce, most of whom traveled about the Greek-speaking world giving instruction in a wide range of subjects in return for fees. The term sophist (Greek sophistes) had earlier applications.

Sep 30, 2011 · The Greek word sophistēs, formed from the noun sophia, ‘wisdom’ or ‘learning’, has the general sense ‘one who exercises wisdom or learning’.

SOPHISM definition: 1. an argument that seems true but is really false and is used to deceive people 2. an argument…. Learn more.

Due in large part to the influence of Plato and Aristotle, the term sophistry has come to signify the deliberate use of fallacious reasoning, intellectual charlatanism and moral unscrupulousness.

Apr 5, 2025 · Among moderns, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was one of the first to reinsert the Sophists into the history of Greek philosophy.

A sophism is taken as a specious argument used for deception. It might be crafted to appear logical while actually representing a falsehood, or it might use obscure words and complicated sentence constructions in order to intimidate the opponent into agreement out of …

Mar 26, 2019 · In rhetorical studies, sophism refers to the argumentative strategies practiced and taught by the Sophists. From the Greek, "wise, clever" "When a false argument puts on the appearance of a true one, then it is properly called a sophism or fallacy."