Lantithèse

Lantithèse is a term that does not have a fixed, widely accepted meaning in standard reference works. In discussions where it appears, it is sometimes treated as a misspelling or variant of antithèse, the rhetorical device that presents opposing ideas in close conjunction. In other contexts, lantithèse is used as a neologism to designate a latent or hidden thesis that underpins an argument without being stated directly.

Possible interpretations of lantithèse vary. Some authors use it to describe a stance that seems like a thesis at first glance but is actually contingent or supplementary to the main argument. Others treat it as a rhetorical or philosophical concept that operates beneath the surface of a text, shaping interpretation without being explicitly articulated.

Relationship to other concepts is a common source of confusion. When invoked, lantithèse is often contrasted with antithèse. In this framing, antithèse foregrounds explicit opposition, while lantithèse refers to a more concealed or nuanced counter-thesis embedded within the overall line of reasoning. Some readers connect the idea to dialectical thinking (thesis and counter-thesis leading toward synthesis), but this usage is not universal and is not part of a standardized doctrine.

Documentation and usage are limited. Lantithèse appears mainly in informal online glossaries and some niche publications rather than in authoritative dictionaries of French or philosophy. Given the lack of consensus, readers should consult the author’s definition when encountering lantithèse in a text. See also antithèse, thèse, dialectique, rhétorique.