I ran across the word 'specious' the other day. I looked it up and it seems to mean the same thing as spurious, a word I use often. I am want to know if there is a connotational difference between them, or a context in which you would use the one and not the other.
2006-10-24 20:42:41 · 3 answers · asked by Jason H 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
A specious argument is one that appears true, but only on a superficial level. eg:
A: There are no tigers here.
B: This rock is here.
C: Therefore this rock keeps tigers away.
Both A and B are true, but do not imply C. Although C may or may not be true, it cannot be inferred from A and B.
A spurious argument is one that does not follow from the established facts. eg:
A: There are no tigers here.
B: This rock is here.
C: Therefore I am the Queen of Sheba
Both A and B are true, but they are irrelevant to the proposition in C.
2006-10-24 23:54:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Spurious - false, counterfeit, artificial
Specious - deceptive, misleading (SEEMING to be genuine, correct or beautiful but not really so)
2006-10-25 12:11:40 · answer #2 · answered by Oghma Gem 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
go to answers.com
2006-10-24 20:45:42 · answer #3 · answered by nasturtium41 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋