operators
operands
mid 19th century: from Latin operandum, neuter gerundive of operari ‘expend labor on’ (see operate).
by stating mere formal arguments, one can argue a position without attachment. some people get paid just to find better arguments regardless of preference, regardless of truth(-fulness). many who reject the notion of an objective truth would utilize arguments for their pragmatic effect only to argue against their own previous argumentative positioning in order to achieve different ends.