What do you call it when someone uses smart and intelligent but wrong statements to strengthen their argument?
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2How do wrong statements strengthen their argument? – KillingTime Oct 6 '19 at 15:03
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Closely related: to blind someone with science {UK mainly}. – Edwin Ashworth Oct 6 '19 at 15:14
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Possible duplicate of A word like propaganda but maybe not quite, a request for specious, wonderful-sounding propositions which are actually found to be wrong on close examination. Hokum is offered as an answer. – Edwin Ashworth Oct 6 '19 at 15:21
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1The Lexico definition of 'specious' is applicable, and was given at a word to describe writing that only contains superficial knowledge and no genuine ... It means more than shallow. It means there is an effort to sound knowledgeable on the topic. Almost like there's an element of "faking" knowledge.. – Edwin Ashworth Oct 6 '19 at 15:33
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Perhaps an even closer fit is Is there a phrase or word that describes misinformation expressed in an articulate way? @DJClayworth's 'sophistry' facilitated the reverse search, and is the closest fit for an answer. But already given. – Edwin Ashworth Oct 6 '19 at 18:27
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Sophistry is
The use of clever but false arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving.
This seems to fit your definition.
answered Oct 6 '19 at 16:28
Specious
A 'specious argument' is one that is empty, false or incorrect.
Definition:
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I had hoped to discourage another 'specious' answer to virtually the same question as in previous threads, by giving it in a 'comment' rather than as an 'answer'. – Edwin Ashworth Oct 6 '19 at 16:11
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Well, 'specious' is about the best word that I know, to answer this question. And seeing as how putting answers in comments doesn't result in... answered questions, what is the point of answering questions in comments? @Edwin Ashworth – Jelila Oct 6 '19 at 16:16
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We're supposed to do housekeeping on ELU; the ultimate aim is to build up a repository of good analysis / practice, not be a Q and A service that generates so many duplications that the repository is useless as a reference. – Edwin Ashworth Oct 6 '19 at 16:21
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Well, is it a duplicate, or not? An answered duplicate is presumably better than an unanswered duplicate, in that it might actually... help somebody. Sorry I am not genius in housekeeping. 🙏🏻 – Jelila Oct 6 '19 at 16:31
Sophistry, as found by DJClayworth, is what you're looking for, but I think bullsh*t is another acceptable answer.
All definitions are from Merriam-Webster. Words for this include shrewd
b : given to wily and artful ways or dealing
Or wily
: full of wiles : crafty
Or crafty
2a : adept in the use of subtlety and cunning
Or slick
1b : having surface plausibility or appeal : glossy
2a : characterized by subtlety or nimble wit : clever
Or cunning
1 : dexterous or crafty in the use of special resources (such as skill or knowledge) or in attaining an end
2 : characterized by wiliness and trickery
3 : prettily appealing : cute
4 : displaying keen insight
Or sly
2a : clever in concealing one's aims or ends
Or clever, in a context where it implies dishonesty
2 : marked by wit or ingenuity
Or manipulative, from manipulate
b : to control or play upon by artful, unfair, or insidious means especially to one's own advantage
Casuistry can mean either a form of theological reasoning about ethics, or, more often:
2 : specious argument : rationalization
This is sometimes applied to specific, extant religious orders, but that would be considered offensive. Apologetics is also sometimes used neutrally as theological terms, but in other contexts, has a negative connotation of a lawyerly defense of the indefensible. An apologia can mean this too, but sometimes has a positive connotation.
