Sophism
a specious argument for displaying ingenuity in reasoning or for deceiving someone.
any false argument; fallacy.
Historical Examples
To sift thoroughly this sophism, it is sufficient to remember that human labor is not an end but a means.
What Is Free Trade? Frdrick Bastiat
Seeing me foiled, Charley advanced with the doubtful aid of a sophism to help me.
Wilfrid Cumbermede George MacDonald
To get at the root of this sophism, it is necessary only to reflect that human labour is not the end, but the means.
Economic Sophisms Frederic Bastiat
Buridan was exempted, and, in gratitude, invented the sophism.
A Budget of Paradoxes, Volume I (of II) Augustus De Morgan
But with a word he obliterated the sophism—and with a glance repressed the badinage.
The Allen House T. S. Arthur
In the first place, the word universal conceals a gross sophism.
The Law Frdric Bastiat
The professor of political economy not only teaches his sophism—he would have us back his tortoise.
Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 64 No. 396 October 1848 Various
Let them cease, then, for shame’s sake, to urge this sophism.
A Defence of Virginia Robert L. Dabney
It is indeed a sad state of things to make such a sophism necessary.
Memoirs of an American Prima Donna Clara Louise Kellogg
But it is evident that a gross sophism lurks under this phraseology.
Harmonies of Political Economy Frdric Bastiat
noun
an instance of sophistry Compare paralogism
n.
early 15c., earlier sophime (mid-14c.), “specious but fallacious argument devised for purposes of deceit or to exercise one’s ingenuity,” from Old French sophime “a fallacy, false argument” (Modern French sophisme), from Latin sophisma, from Greek sophisma “clever device, skillful act, stage-trick,” from stem of sophizesthai “become wise” (see sophist).
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