The Sophists

An Introduction

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Education & Teaching, History, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Ancient
Cover of the book The Sophists by Patricia O'Grady, Bloomsbury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Patricia O'Grady ISBN: 9781472521200
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Publication: October 10, 2013
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic Language: English
Author: Patricia O'Grady
ISBN: 9781472521200
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication: October 10, 2013
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Language: English

The Sophists were bold, exciting innovators with new ideas about Athenian society. The first to arrive, in about 444 BC, was Protagoras. During the last half of the fifth century BC he was followed by a succession of 'new age' itinerant instructors who were skilled in teaching. Mainly they taught the young ambitious men of Athens, instilling in them the skills they sought in order to become successful, that is, rich and influential. The Athenians flocked to hear them and enrol in their courses. The Sophists dared to charge high fees for their instruction and their students willingly paid.The Sophists were versatile and multi-talented. It seems that there was nothing one or other of them could not teach, but perhaps their greatest legacy to western society was their development of language, which, naturally, also benefited them in their work.Plato criticised the Sophists for promoting dangerous ideas which threatened the traditional structure of society. They taught their students how to argue convincingly and to turn the weaker argument into a winning argument against the stronger. Plato was markedly vitriolic in his criticism of the Sophists. Perhaps he was justified.Were the Sophists clever, rather than wise? Where does the truth lie? This book, with its lively, comprehensive treatment of the subject by twenty leading scholars in the field, will help the reader to decide.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The Sophists were bold, exciting innovators with new ideas about Athenian society. The first to arrive, in about 444 BC, was Protagoras. During the last half of the fifth century BC he was followed by a succession of 'new age' itinerant instructors who were skilled in teaching. Mainly they taught the young ambitious men of Athens, instilling in them the skills they sought in order to become successful, that is, rich and influential. The Athenians flocked to hear them and enrol in their courses. The Sophists dared to charge high fees for their instruction and their students willingly paid.The Sophists were versatile and multi-talented. It seems that there was nothing one or other of them could not teach, but perhaps their greatest legacy to western society was their development of language, which, naturally, also benefited them in their work.Plato criticised the Sophists for promoting dangerous ideas which threatened the traditional structure of society. They taught their students how to argue convincingly and to turn the weaker argument into a winning argument against the stronger. Plato was markedly vitriolic in his criticism of the Sophists. Perhaps he was justified.Were the Sophists clever, rather than wise? Where does the truth lie? This book, with its lively, comprehensive treatment of the subject by twenty leading scholars in the field, will help the reader to decide.

More books from Bloomsbury Publishing

Cover of the book The Twitter Diaries by Patricia O'Grady
Cover of the book An Anthropology of the Enlightenment by Patricia O'Grady
Cover of the book Château Thierry & Belleau Wood 1918 by Patricia O'Grady
Cover of the book Swimming Shermans by Patricia O'Grady
Cover of the book American Nightfighter Aces of World War 2 by Patricia O'Grady
Cover of the book The Swamp Fox by Patricia O'Grady
Cover of the book Jewish and Greek Communities in Egypt by Patricia O'Grady
Cover of the book World War I Seaplane and Aircraft Carriers by Patricia O'Grady
Cover of the book Dead Reckoning by Patricia O'Grady
Cover of the book Downfall 1945 by Patricia O'Grady
Cover of the book Sports Journalism by Patricia O'Grady
Cover of the book Designing for Society by Patricia O'Grady
Cover of the book These Things Ain't Gonna Smoke Themselves by Patricia O'Grady
Cover of the book Final Judgment by Patricia O'Grady
Cover of the book 101 Youth Football Coaching Sessions Volume 2 by Patricia O'Grady
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy