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sophistry
SAW-fuh-stree
noun
subtle argument, which is often based on deceptive reasoning
1791James BoswellThe Life of JohnsonAfter we came out of the church, we stood talking for some time together of Bishop Berkeley's ingenious sophistry to prove the non-existence of matter, and that every thing in the universe is merely ideal. I observed, that though we are satisfied his doctrine is not true, it is impossible to refute it. I never shall forget the alacrity with which Johnson answered, striking his foot with mighty force against a large stone, till he rebounded from it, 'I refute it thus.'1934Robert E. HowardQueen of the Black CoastNaive as a child in many ways, unfamiliar with the sophistry of civilization, he was naturally intelligent, jealous of his rights, and dangerous as a hungry tiger.1934George Bernard ShawOn the RocksSIR DEXTER. Monstrous! I should give no quarter to such an outrageous piece of sophistry.1990Gregory BenfordMatter's EndWhen Dr. Samuel Johnson felt himself getting tied up in an argument over Bishop Berkeley's ingenious sophistry to prove the nonexistence of matter, and that everything in the universe is merely ideal, he kicked a large stone and answered, 'I refute it thus.'

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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