The use of psychological concepts and authority to dismiss, pathologize, or silence dissent. Psychological Sophism turns diagnosis into weapon: "you're narcissistic" ends debate; "you're borderline" dismisses emotion; "you need help" pathologizes resistance. It's sophistry in therapist's clothing: using the language of healing to harm.
"She disagreed with him. 'You're clearly narcissistic,' he announced—no training, no diagnosis, just a label to win an argument. Psychological Sophism: using psychology's authority without psychology's responsibility. The label did the work that argument should have done."
by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 7, 2026
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