The Sophists

After completing the reading about the Sophists, I now feel I have a much better understanding about their lifestyle. On their most basic level, it seems as if the Sophists are individuals who pushed social boundaries. Not only did they push social boundaries but, they also seemed to have a much higher intellectual level/desire than most individuals of the time period. Protagoras, Gorgias, Prodicus, Hippias, and Thrasymachus, were among some of the most prominent Sophists of the time. They were all well known orators and teachers of rhetoric.

After reading about the above Sophists, it brought me back to our conversation in class about, ethos, pathos, and logos. It seemed as if many of these men relied on ethos as a means of supporting their argument. Through out the reading their skills of oratory were frequently discussed. "Both amazed and instructed by his extraordinary, dazzling oratory, particularly his verbal innovations, they received him enthusiastically." After reading this part and some other parts, it almost seemed as if these men manipulated/ took advantage of their audience. They knew their audience wasn't educated and took this as an opportunity to influence the audience. They were able to talk the talk and present it in a manner that made it seem like it was impossible not to believe. But, I guess that is what rhetoric is all about and there is no doubt these men knew rhetoric.

Another part that stood out to me was, "They were subversive intellectuals and professors: dangerous people in their community."It can be scary to think of how powerful knowledge is and what it is capable of. We have all heard of an event in time where knowledge led to tragedy. Homemade bombs take knowledge to make and that knowledge leads to destruction. Knowledge should not be feared but the potential of how someone could use such knowledge should be feared.


A component of the reading that related back to cultural practices of today was; "Laws and customs are derived from social agreement, not from human nature." This relates to the struggle some people have today with, morality vs. ethics. As the reading is suggesting laws much like today are based on social norms. However, individuals must articulate where their personal ethics fall in line with such social norms.

The whole pushing social norms and going against the grain is still relevant today as well, probably more than ever. Our society puts such an emphasis on fitting in with your peers. We view people who go against the grain as outcasts. Back in the day they just had a different name for it, Sophists.

My questions to the class would be:

Did anyone have a different modern interpretation of the poem on pg. 29? Or do you thing the one provided is adequate?

Do you agree with the ideologies of one Sophist more than another?