The technical definitions of solipcism and sophistry tend to elude my memory. I study them, and a month later they slip away. "Sophistry" is of course often used as a general insult towards arguments with which one might disagree, but that usage degrades the meaning.
AVI did my work for me today, on sophistry. His handy practical definition: "Sophistry is a phrase so neat you can't see the loose end that would unravel it. It's flawless, but wrong." Sleight-of-mind.
One of the examples he offers is:
You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war.
Hmm, wait a minute - why can't you do both? I'll offer this one:
If the glove don't fit, you must acquit.
Wait a minute - a glove gets to make the decision?
One more:
Heard from a New Zealand interviewer last week re global warming:
"It's very important for New Zealanders to try to help, even if it doesn't make a difference."
It is? Futility is an essential part of the Kiwi national character?
Thus sophistry is designed to defeat thought, not to provoke thought. Such assertions are designed to ward off that "Hey, wait a minute, does that make sense?" reaction. Always check the premises before discussion, even if they sound OK. Or especially if they sound OK.
You can read AVI's piece here.
