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Word for a person who interprets everything to their advantage

English Language & Usage Asked on August 3, 2021

Is there a word for a person (or an attribute to describe a person) who habitually interprets facts and words in such a way that their interpretation proves their argument is correct while others wrong. In other words, a term for a person (or an attribute for a person) who always makes the most self-serving interpretation of the facts to benefit themselves the most.

Example of such person:

  • Politicians who always interpret facts to prove they are correct and to prove that the opposition are not.
  • In quarrels (say between two partners, not just legal quarrels, but say between husband and wife), one may keep saying that opposition’s interpretations of facts are wrong and provide his / her version of interpretations (interpretations which will comforts him / proves opposition wrong and him / her correct).

3 Answers

In my opinion the original version of your question (the one with relation between procrastination and own comfort) was more appropriate to describe what I think you mean and also a bit sarcastic, and I liked it. However, answering seriously... The word could be "opportunist"

Answered by matteo biagioli on August 3, 2021

Not sure if this will help, but maybe Confirmation bias can shed some light on your quest for this term. Britannica defines it as

the tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with one’s existing beliefs.

Whereas Oxford languages says it is

the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs or theories.

This article The Confirmation Bias: Why People See What They Want to See does nevertheless look similar to what you are speaking about. It is not from a commonly reliable source, but you may find it of interest.

Answered by fev on August 3, 2021

There is this word Sophistry, which is almost always used in a political context. It seems to fit the bill nicely in the context you've provided.

the clever use of arguments that seem true but are really false, in order to deceive people

[Cambridge]

Another word that comes to mind is rhetorician.

A speaker whose words are primarily intended to impress or persuade.

‘they're ready to listen to any smooth-tongued rhetorician.'

[Lexico]

Answered by user405662 on August 3, 2021

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