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Socrates and the Sophists

Authors
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    Name
    Dhai-Eddine Zebbiche
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Title: Socrates and the Sophists

Subject: Philosophy

Summary

"Socrates and the Sophists" delves into the intellectual landscape of ancient Greece, contrasting the philosophical approaches of Socrates and the Sophists during the 5th century BCE. The Sophists, known for their rhetorical skills and relativistic viewpoints, charged fees for their instruction and emphasized pragmatic concerns. In contrast, Socrates, portrayed through Plato's dialogues, engaged in dialectical questioning without claiming specialized knowledge, aiming to uncover objective truths and moral absolutes through reasoned inquiry. This book explores key figures such as Protagoras, Gorgias, and Prodicus among the Sophists, and highlights Socrates' method of elenchus and his famous claim of ignorance. By contrasting these two philosophical traditions, it sheds light on the enduring legacy of Socratic philosophy and its influence on the modern thought.