also: ろんじゃ
Refers to a person who argues for a particular position, participates in debates, or publicly supports a cause.
He is known as an advocate for environmental protection.
討論会では、各論者が自分の意見を述べた。
At the debate, each debater expressed their own opinion.
Used to refer to the writer of a particular text, often in formal or academic contexts. Can be used self-referentially by the author.
本論者は、この問題について別の見解を持っている。
The present writer holds a different view on this issue.
The number of advocates arguing for the need for reform is increasing.
According to the author, this theory has not yet been sufficiently verified.
Opinions are divided among advocates regarding that policy.
著者 is the general word for the author of a book or article, while 論者 in this sense is a more formal term used especially in academic or argumentative writing.
評論家 is a professional critic or commentator, whereas 論者 more broadly denotes anyone arguing for a position, professional or not.
abolitionist
feminist
pacifist
reactionary
spiritualist
pessimist
proponent of constitutional reform; constitutional revisionist
optimist
Standard kanji spelling; the reading ろんしゃ is the most common.
Alternate reading; less common but acceptable, especially in casual speech.
Compound of 論 (argument, theory) and 者 (person). The reading ろんじゃ is a common euphonic change from ろんしゃ.
mechanist
evolutionist