Socrates, Sophists, Oracle of Delphi - Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering key figures, concepts, and debates from the lecture notes on Socrates, the Sophists, the Oracle of Delphi, and the beginnings of Western philosophy.

Socrates

Classical Greek philosopher known for the Socratic method of questioning and pursuit of wisdom; claims to know nothing; the Oracle of Delphi proclaimed that no one is wiser than Socrates, which he interprets as his mission to seek truth.

Oracle of Delphi

Priestess at Delphi delivering divine pronouncements; in the notes, it declares that no one is wiser than Socrates and influences interpretations of events like Athens’ naval response.

Wooden walls

Cryptic phrase from the Oracle interpreted by Athenians as advice to build a strong navy of ships; used as an example of how oracles were interpreted and acted upon.

Sophists

Professional, paid teachers of rhetoric who could make arguments persuasive; seen as both beneficial (advancing social mobility) and suspicious (skeptical about knowledge, moral relativists, accused of corrupting youth).

Protagoras

Famous sophist and teacher of rhetoric; central figure in Plato’s dialogue Protagoras; reputed to help students become wealthy and influential.

Thinkery

The imagined sophist school described by Aristophanes in a comedic context; a place where sophists taught rhetoric and persuasion.

Rhetoric

Art of persuasive speaking; a key tool of the sophists to win arguments and influence public opinion, often criticized by Socrates for implying truth is not essential.

Nomos

Human-made laws or social conventions; in sophist thought, morality is a matter of nomos (conventional), not universal or natural.

Physis (Physics)

Natural laws or the nature of reality; contrasted with nomos as what is determined by nature rather than human convention.

Virtue

Excellence or function well performed; for sophists, virtue often means wealth, power, and social success, whereas philosophers pursue goods of the soul or truth.

Socratic Method (elenchus)

Question-and-answer approach used by Socrates to test beliefs and seek truth, often exposing weaknesses in supposedly certain claims.

Socratic Paradox (wisdom through ignorance)

The idea that Socrates is wise because he acknowledges his own ignorance; he claims to know what he does not know, unlike the pretenders who claim knowledge.

Corruption of the youth

One of the charges against Socrates, accusing him of undermining traditional beliefs by teaching and questioning the young.

Philosophy vs Sophistry

Philosophy is the love of wisdom and a pursuit of truth through inquiry; sophistry emphasizes winning arguments and may rely on rhetoric, skepticism about knowledge, and moral relativism.