Sophist
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ˈsɒfɪst/
- US IPA: /ˈsoʊfɪst/
Origin
From Latin sophista, also sophistes, from Ancient Greek σοφιστής ("pursuer of wisdom"), from σοφίζεσθαι ("become wise").
Full definition of sophist
Noun
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
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.
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.
Synonyms
- (one who is captious, fallacious, or deceptive in argument) logic chopper