What type of logical argument is undermined in “I have been told he is as honest as the day is long”?

The statement “I have been told he is as honest as the day is long” suggests that the speaker relies on the opinion of others rather than providing direct evidence or reasoning to support the claim of honesty. This reliance on hearsay without substantiating the assertion undermines the argument's validity, which aligns with the characteristics of a sophistical formula. Such formulas often present arguments that are misleading or nonsensical in logical structure, relying on emotional appeal or deceptive reasoning instead of sound logic.

In this instance, the statement attempts to validate a claim about a person's character based solely on what someone else has said, rather than asserting a reasoned argument. This demonstrates a breakdown in logical reasoning, which is typically a hallmark of sophistical arguments, highlighting the importance of grounding claims in verifiable reasoning or evidence.