from: Penguin Classics
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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 183.1
EAN num: 9780140436891
ISBN number: 0140436898
Label: Penguin Classics
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 464
Printing Date: October 28, 2003
Publishing house: Penguin Classics
Release Date: October 28, 2003
Sale Popularity Level: 36474
Studio: Penguin Classics
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The Sophists, who rose to prominence in democratic Athens during the mid-fifth century b.c., understood the art of rhetoric and the importance of being able to transform effective reasoning into persuasive public speaking. Their inquiries-into the gods, the origins of religion, and whether virtue can be taught-influenced the subsequent generation of classical philosophers and formed the foundations of the European prose style and formal oratory. In this new translation each chapter is organized around the work of one character, including Gorgias, Prodicus, Protagoras, and Antiphon, among others.
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Rhetoric, morality, fees
As J. Dillon explains in his excellent introduction, sophist teaching was `all about rhetoric, the all-conquering power of persuasion speech'.
Why was (and is) rhetoric so important? Because Athens became a democracy and the ambitious and the prominent citizens had to sway the crowds in the assembly (now on TV).
Rhetoric has nothing to do with morality (`it is not the teachers who are bad, but rather those who use it incorrectly'). Of course, sophists expressed their own views on mankind, religion, social issues or politics. Some were political ambassadors of their home country. Others played crucial roles in political upheavals and deadly conflicts.
Another constant in their lives were the truly enormous fees they asked for their teachings.
Individual assessments
Protagoras of Abdera was a relativist: `Man is the measure of all things.' or, `The soul is nothing apart from the senses.' and, `Concerning the gods, I am not in a position to know that they exist or not.'
Gorgias of Leontini was a pure rhetorician, searching verbal power through metaphors, figurative language, repetitions and apostrophes. His `Encomium of Helen' and `Defense of Palamedes' are superb texts.
Prodicus of Ceos was a proto-Wittgenstein, emphasizing the correct use of language and words. He could be the inventor of the theory `that men deified all things that are of benefit for our life.'
Hippias of Elis was a proto-Freud, stressing the antinomy between nature (individualism) and convention (culture, laws).
Antiphon was another proto-Freud: `the advantages prescribed by laws are shackles upon nature.' He was also a staunch anti-democrat who masterminded the oligarchy of the 'Four Hundred'.
Thrasymachus of Chalcedon was a proto-Nietzsche, for whom `might is right': `the just is nothing else than the advantage of the stronger.'
Critias of Athens, Plato's cousin, was a real (not a proto-) mass-murderer. As the leader of the puppet regime of `The Thirty Tyrants' set up by Sparta, `he was outstanding in savagery and bloodthirstiness.' He supported Sparta's plan `to give Attica the appearance of a mere pasture for sheep by emptying her of her human herd.'
Euthydemus and Dionysius of Chios were proto-Wittgensteins, stressing the ambiguities of language.
Alcidamus of Elaea defended orality and improvisation. He was a true democrat: `God left all men free; Nature has made no man a slave.'
The Anonymous Jamblichi defend convention against nature: `convention holds men and cities together.'
General picture, actuality
Part of the sophists' teaching is still very topical: `War, the worst evil to men, leads people to ruin and slavery.' And, `the common use of money is a result of trust; without mutual trust even a great deal of money would not be sufficient.'
This book throws also a shrill light on the by some so much admired Spartan society. In fact, its citizens lived continuously in fear of their helots.
This book gives an exceptionally clear picture of an important part of Greek history. It provides a deeper understanding of Plato's Dialogues and the works of the major playwrights.
It is a must read for all lovers of Greek history and classical texts.
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