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Sophomoric reasoning

Sophomoric reasoning

Sophomoric reasoning is rationalizing about what one understands poorly. It's often apologetics (starting with a conclusion). Though not highly regarded, it's superior to parroting aphorisms.

If one's understanding is below freshman level, sophomoric reasoning may seem a desirable achievement. Nonetheless one's goals should be more ambitious.

Among certain groups sophomoric reasoning masquerades as "critical thinking" (example).