What is sophism? What is a sophist? What is sophistry?

Response

Sophistry is the use of false arguments or reasoning based on deception or clever language. A sophism is an incorrect argument that often relies on deceptive methods. A sophist is someone who practices sophistry, being skilled in leading people astray through indirectness, ambiguity, and other tactics. A sophist employs crafty ways to present a seemingly plausible yet untrue statement.

Peter cautioned against deceitful teachers in the church who would employ sophistry to deceive believers: “In their greed, they will fabricate cunning lies to exploit your finances” «And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. », (2 Peter 2:3, NLT). Similarly, Paul warned about divisive individuals whose aim is to mislead: “By using smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of unsuspecting individuals” «For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. », (Romans 16:18).

Derived from the Greek word sophos, meaning “wise or skilled,” Sophism emerged as a philosophical school of thought before Socrates. Initially, sophism could have described anyone displaying specific expertise or knowledge. A skilled potter or a proficient fabric dyer might have been labeled as sophists in their respective fields; however, over time, Sophists became known as traveling intellectuals specializing in rhetoric, the art of persuasion. Some Sophists, referred to as “teachers of virtue,” found success in educating affluent children; nevertheless, philosophers like Plato and Aristotle held negative views of Sophists who, in their eyes,In their estimation, sophists were more interested in outperforming their opponents in debates through the clever use of rhetoric rather than in substantiating their beliefs with factual evidence. This has led to the contemporary notion that sophists prevail in arguments through deception.

At the core of sophism lies the belief that truth is subjective. In essence, truth is whatever it is perceived to be by the believer. The philosophical Sophists justified their belief in the fluidity of truth by asserting that the only truth that can be known is subjective truth. Therefore, in the view of the ancient Sophists, truth was whatever it was considered to be. To reinforce their beliefs in the transient nature of reality, Sophists became highly adept in the art of persuasive rhetoric. To uphold their particular version of truth, they relied on their sharp communication skills.

The progenitor of Sophism was the Greek philosopher Protagoras, who declared, “Man is the measure of all things—of the things that are, that they are, and the things that are not, that they are not” (see Die Fragmente der Vorsokratiker, Diels, H., and Kranz, W., Weidmann, 1951–52, 80B1). The philosophy of ancient Sophistry leads to the following conclusions:

• Subjective opinion holds more value than verifiable fact.

• Due to differing perspectives among individuals, truth becomes subjective rather than objective.

• As cultures differ, truth varies based on one’s upbringing and environment.

• To comprehend what a person believes, one must understand the individual.

• No philosopher can make an absolute statement on the nature of truth. (Protagoras believed that the philosophers who preceded him were merely expressing their subjective opinions, as no one can speak with the authority of absolute certainty.)

• Ultimately, strategic argumentation can alter perceptions of truth.

Callicles, another philosopher in the school of Sophistry, refuted the idea that nature im

Plants a sense of right and wrong in individuals; rather, truth is established by the powerful, and might makes right. So, a wealthy land baron’s perception of truth would supersede the values held by a beggar or a peasant. Ultimately, Callicles concluded that it is the role of the mighty to rule the weak. In fairness, not all Sophists agreed with Callicles; for example, the philosopher Lycophron believed in the equality of all people.

Sophistry, far from being relegated to the ancient past, is alive and well in Western culture, for at the heart of Sophism is secular humanism, the belief that man need not submit to any form of divine authority. The beliefs of Protagoras are very much in vogue today, but how is the Christian to view sophistry?

Tenet 1: The only truth is man’s truth.

Rebuttal: All truth is God’s truth (John 14:6; John 17:17; Ephesians 1:13). Stealing is wrong because God says it is wrong. Adultery is wrong because God says it is wrong, and no amount of rhetorical whitewashing will transform evil into good.

Tenet 2: Truth is subject to change.

Rebuttal: Truth is immutable, that is, truth does not change according to popular thought or current climate of opinion (Psalm 119:142; Matthew 24:35).

Tenet 3: Deliberate, intentional deception is an acceptable means of advancing one’s perception of truth. Skill in the use of rhetoric, not accuracy, evidence, logic, or reasoning, is the basis of sophism.

Rebuttal: A lie, no matter how eloquent, is still a lie. On the other hand, God’s Word is pure (Psalm 12:6; Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 30:5).

The ancient Sophists and their modern-day counterparts are, at best, purveyors of confusion and, at worst, maste

Authors of deliberate and willful deception. Recognizing that false teachers might find undiscerning disciples among gullible Christians, the apostle Paul warned the church elders in Ephesus to “pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:28-30;ESV).