sophistry

Sophistry refers to a method of argumentation that aims to persuade rather than to discover truth. The term originates in ancient Greece, where sophists were itinerant teachers who offered instruction in rhetoric, logic, and public speaking for a fee. They trained citizens to argue effectively in civic life, the courts, and assemblies. Notable figures associated with sophistry include Protagoras, Gorgias, Hippias, and Prodicus.

In classical philosophy, the label took on a largely negative connotation. Socrates and Plato criticized sophists for equating success in argument with truth, and for using ambiguity, clever wording, and rhetorical tricks to win assent regardless of the premises or evidence. Protagoras’ relativistic claim that “man is the measure of all things” is often cited as emblematic of the kind of epistemological stance attributed to some sophists. Over time, sophistry came to denote deceptive or fallacious argumentation used to mislead or manipulate audiences.

Scholars today distinguish between historical sophists and the modern pejorative usage. Some view them as professional educators who contributed to public discourse and the development of rhetorical skills necessary for participation in Athenian democracy, while others emphasize the ethical criticisms of rhetoric lacking regard for truth. In contemporary language, sophistry describes arguments that are rhetorically sophisticated but soundness is lacking, including the use of equivocation, selective evidence, or other techniques designed to persuade without solid evidence.