Conclusion Quote by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
“The juggle of sophistry consists, for the most part, in using a word in one sense in all the premises, and in another sense in the conclusion.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” (excerpt)
Poetry, 1798
In simple terms: Sophistry manipulates language by shifting meanings between premises and conclusion, creating deceptive arguments.
Changing word meanings tricks logic.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- critical thinking
- philosophy
- rhetoric
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- debates
- legal arguments
- academic writing
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you spot a shift in meaning?
- What safeguards ensure clear reasoning?
The critique assumes all arguments are malicious, not just careless.