sophist

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sophist

Learned borrowing from Latin sophista, also sophistes, itself borrowed from Ancient Greek σοφιστής (sophistḗs, “pursuer of wisdom”), from σοφίζομαι (sophízomai, “to become wise”).

sophist (plural sophists)

One of a class of teachers of rhetoric, philosophy, and politics in ancient Greece.
(figuratively) A teacher who uses plausible but fallacious reasoning.
(figuratively, by extension) One who is captious, fallacious, or deceptive in argument.
Synonym: logic chopper
(dated) Alternative form of sophister (“university student who has completed at least one year”)

The meaning of "sophist" can vary depending on the time period to which one is referring. A sophist of the earliest period was a master in his art or craft who demonstrated (taught by example) his practical skill/learning in exchange for pay. Later sophists were providers of a well-rounded education intended to give pupils arete – "virtue, human excellence". By late antiquity, sophistḗs / sophistes tended to denote exclusively a skilled public speaker and/or teacher of rhetoric.^[1]^[2]

ancient teacher of rhetoric, etc.

one who is captious, fallacious, or deceptive in argument

^ Dictionary of Philosophy, Dagobert D. Runes (ed.), Philosophical Library, 1962. See: "Sophists" by Max Fishler, p. 295.
^ "History of the name ‘Sophist’," Encyclopedia Britannica at www.britannica.com.