sophist
US /ˈsɑː.fɪst/
UK /ˈsɑː.fɪst/
1.
a person who reasons speciously rather than soundly
:
•
His arguments were those of a sophist, designed to mislead rather than enlighten.
•
The politician was accused of being a sophist, twisting facts to suit his agenda.
2.
(in ancient Greece) a paid teacher of philosophy and rhetoric in the classical period; often associated with moral skepticism and specious reasoning
:
•
Plato often criticized the methods and teachings of the Sophists.
•
The rise of the Sophists marked a shift in Greek philosophy towards human-centered inquiry.