Subject
Sophists (Greek philosophy) Books
Best books
Plato
Protagoras
"Protagoras" by Plato is a dialogue written in ancient Greece. Socrates engages the renowned sophist Protagoras in a spirited philosophical debate at the lavish home of Callias. Their central contest: Can virtue be taught? As young Athenians and fellow sophists gather to witness the exchange, the two thinkers clash over the nature of goodness, the unity of virtue, and the relationship between pleasure and moral excellence. This lively encounter reveals fundamental questions about education, wisdom, and what it means to live well.
Plato
Sophist
"Sophist" by Plato is a philosophical dialogue written around 360 BC. Led by the mysterious Eleatic Stranger, the dialogue pursues a challenging question: what distinguishes a sophist from a philosopher? Through an intricate method of collection and division, the interlocutors systematically classify forms of knowledge and expertise, building elaborate taxonomies to corner their elusive quarry. The dialogue explores deep questions about language, reality, and definition while Socrates—unusually—remains silent in the background.
Plato
Euthydemus
"Euthydemus" by Plato is a dialogue written around 384 BC. In this satirical work, Socrates recounts to his friend Crito a meeting with two Sophist brothers who claim philosophical superiority. Through a series of increasingly absurd logical tricks and fallacies, the brothers attempt to trap Socrates in verbal puzzles designed to be impossible to refute. Plato contrasts genuine Socratic education with what he presents as the deceptive methods of Sophist argumentation, exposing the emptiness behind their intellectual showmanship.
Plato
Πρωταγόρας
"Πρωταγόρας" by Plato is a dialogue written in ancient Greece. The work stages a philosophical debate between Socrates and the celebrated sophist Protagoras at the home of Callias. Their discussion explores whether virtue can be taught and what makes a good citizen. The dialogue features numerous notable Athenians and includes Protagoras defending sophistry as an honorable profession while Socrates challenges his claims through questioning. Through myth and argument, the two thinkers wrestle with fundamental questions about wisdom, education, and human excellence.
Plato
Σοφιστής
"Σοφιστής" by Plato is a philosophical dialogue written around 360 BCE. Through dialectical method, the work seeks to define the sophist and distinguish him from the true philosopher. Using a process of division from general to specific concepts, the dialogue examines whether the sophist is a hunter, merchant, or mere imitator of wisdom. The investigation leads to profound questions about the nature of being and non-being, challenging Parmenides' philosophy and exploring how false statements can exist.
Plato
Ευθύδημος
"Ευθύδημος" by Plato is a philosophical dialogue written in ancient times, likely during the 4th century BC. The work primarily engages in a discourse contrasting the teachings of the sophists, specifically the characters Euphridides and Dionysodorus, with the Socratic method, personified through Socrates. This dialogue satirizes sophistic rhetoric and raises questions about the nature of virtue and knowledge. At the start of the dialogue, we see Socrates conversing with Crito, who inquires about Socrates' recent discussion in the Lyceum. Socrates introduces the sophists Euphridides and Dionysodorus, describing them as skilled dialecticians who have recently gained a reputation for teaching the art of argumentation. He reveals that these sophists claim to be able to teach virtue and knowledge effectively, prompting a discussion about their methods of teaching and the nature of the wisdom they profess to impart. This opening portion sets the stage for a humorous and critical examination of sophistry and philosophical inquiry, showcasing Plato’s characteristic blend of wit and philosophical depth.
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