Sophistical

Sophistical is an adjective meaning relating to sophists or their rhetoric, or describing arguments that are superficially plausible yet deceptive or fallacious. The term is derived from Latin sophisticus, itself from Greek sophistikos, from sophistēs, a maker of wisdom or an expert in argument. In ancient Greece, sophists were professional teachers of rhetoric and disputation; they were valued for eloquence and practical instruction, but criticized by philosophers for prioritizing persuasive effect over truth.

In modern usage, sophistical often carries a negative connotation. It is applied to reasoning or discourse that relies on clever wording, ambiguous language, evasive tactics, or speculative premises to mislead or to win assent rather than to illuminate truth. The label is commonly used in critical discussions of rhetoric and argumentation, especially to denounce techniques that masquerade as legitimate argument but function as rhetorical trickery. While some contexts discuss sophistical methods neutrally as historical rhetorical practices, contemporary usage tends to condemn them as manipulative.

See also: Sophistry, Sophist, Rhetoric, Logical fallacy.