The Sophists

Definition and background on the Sophists: An overview of who the Sophists were, their main beliefs and their impact on ancient Greek society.

Rhetoric: The art of persuasive speaking which was a major focus for the Sophists. Theories on the use of language to convince and persuade.

Truth and Relativism: The Sophists' ideas on truth and knowledge, including the rejection of objective truths and the belief that different people have different perceptions of reality.

Education and Pedagogy: The methods and practices adopted by the Sophists for teaching young men. The usage of rhetorical reasoning, debate and argumentation.

Sophistic Method: The approach of the Sophists to philosophising or disputing conventions, often by sounding knowledgeable and raising logical objections.

Protagoras: One of the most famous Sophists, who put forward ideas on relativism and the human perception of truth.

Plato's Critique of the Sophists: Plato's critique of the Sophists in his writings, which provides an alternative view to their teachings.

Gorgias: A Sophist who believed that complete persuasion and manipulation of people was possible through the use of language.

Role of Women: The influence of the Sophists on the role of women in society, including their education and the acceptance of female philosophers.

Influence on Early Philosophers: The influence of the Sophists on early philosophers, including Socrates and Plato, and how their ideas influenced Western philosophy.

Protagoras: He was a famous Sophist who is best known for his statement, "Man is the measure of all things." He taught that knowledge and reality are subjective and relative, and that individuals must rely on their own perceptions and experiences to understand the world.

Gorgias: He was another popular Sophist who argued that nothing exists, and that even if something exists, it cannot be known or communicated. Gorgias emphasized the importance of persuasion and rhetoric in achieving one's goals.

Hippias: Much of what we know about Hippias comes from Plato, who criticized him for being pedantic and arrogant. Hippias was known for his expertise in a wide range of topics, from grammar to geometry to astronomy.

Antiphon: Antiphon was a Sophist who focused on the art of speechmaking and persuasion. He believed that rhetoric could be used to achieve any goal and that it was a necessary skill for anyone who wanted to succeed in politics or business.

Isocrates: Isocrates was a later Sophist who focused on the importance of education and good character. He emphasized the need for individuals to become virtuous citizens who could use their knowledge and influence to improve society.

Thrasymachus: Thrasymachus was a Sophist who argued that justice is nothing more than the will of the strong. He believed that the powerful could use their influence to define what is right and wrong, and that this was the natural order of things.

Callicles: Callicles was another Sophist who believed that might makes right. He argued that the strong should be able to indulge their desires without any interference from society, and that this was the true definition of freedom.

Critias: Critias was a controversial figure who is best known for his association with the Thirty Tyrants, a group of Athenian aristocrats who briefly seized power in Athens after its defeat in the Peloponnesian War. Critias was accused of being a tyrant and a murderer, and his reputation as a Sophist suffered as a result.