At a conference recently, I kept hearing the phrase, "eristic device." Looking up "erisitic", I find the AHD online definition that says "Given to or characterized by disputatious, often specious argument", but others that say, "of or pertaining to argument or controversy."

Is an erisitc generally considered one who makes "specious" arguments, or is it just one who enjoys a good argument? To me, there is a big difference.

I thought it was the stretchy stuff at the top of Japanese underwear.

The person using this phrase struck me as one of the most intelligent people I have met in a long time (don't worry, Wordcrafters, I said one of the most!). Like all of us, he is very busy, but I have invited him to join our forum.

>Given to or characterized by disputatious, often specious argument.


note the key word "often" -- I don't think there's anything in the Greek root eris that lends speciouness to the argument.

come to think on it, argument itself is often quite specious..

Well, it doesn't imply "specious", but it does imply disagreeable. At root, Eris was the Greek goddess of strife, a real bitch-goddess, if you will, and her bitchiness started the Trojan War.

Eris was so disagreeable that she was the only god/goddess not invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. She came anyway and was refused admittance. Furious, Eris threw a golden apple, inscribed 'To the fairest', among the guests.

You can imagine what the reaction would be. Each of several ladies present felt that she was entitled to the apple; eventually, Paris was brought in to judge the claims. Aphrodite, taking no risk, bribed the judge to ensure that she'd get the the golden apple. In return, she awarded him Helen as bride -- little concerned with the minor detail that Helen was already married -- and off ran the newlyweds to Troy. The Trojan War was fought to get Helen back.

By the way, wordcrafter, there's a eponym.