JLPT N1Kanji compounds

詭弁

Readingきべんkiben

Meaning
正しいように見せかけたごまかしの議論
Explanation
「詭弁(きべん)」 refers to a forced, deceptive argument that makes something appear correct in order to talk the other person around, used like 「詭弁を弄する」. It is the opposite of c2's 「a well-reasoned, splendid argument」; the core point is that the logic is broken yet disguised as sound reasoning. It is unrelated to c1's argument by a defense attorney.
Original Japanese explanation

「詭弁(きべん)」は正しいように見せかけて相手を言いくるめる、こじつけのごまかしの議論を指し、「詭弁を弄する」のように使う。c2の「筋の通った見事な議論」とは逆で、論理が破綻しているのに正論を装う点が核心。c1の弁護人の主張とは無関係である。

Examples
  • 詭弁を弄する

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