Origins to Rhetoric (Sophists)

Rhetoric

Rhetoric is essentially persuasive speaking.

Sophist

A sophist is a paid teacher of rhetoric.

Why did sophists come to Athens?

Sophists came to Athens due to legal reform through implementing democracy. Athens needed a new form of education to teach the general population public speaking. At the time, political and social power was determined by an individuals rhetorical power.

Arete

virtue, personal excellence, and leadership qualities.

What did the sophists teach?

The sophists taught Arete. They taught language abilities to help you succeed in politics and personal empowerment.

Dialectic

Arguing for both sides. If you’re giving a dialectic speech you’re giving both sides, but specifically arguing for one of them. (Acknowledging two arguments)

Dissoi Logoi

Using a strong argument to argue both sides. (Putting two arguments against each other).

Epideixis

A good example to prove a point, a proper model.

How did they teach?

They taught by using Dialectic. They assumed a notion of dissoi logoi. They used epideixis.

What did the Sophists believe?

Epistemologically they believe:

They do not believe in an absolute truth.

They believe in endoxca.

They believe that the medium of language was to argue and to reach a subjective truth.

They follow kairos.

Exploring possibilities of truth being real.

Endoxa

A generally held belief

Kairos

Situational awareness. Arguing a certain case a certain way depending on where you are.

Why were they controversial?

They threatened traditions.

Mercenaries (outsiders) Athenians were xenophobic.

They believe reality is constructed by language.

Justice on nomos, defined justice as human nature. Instead of thesmos, logos, or physics.

Nomos

Human Behavior.

Thesmos

Written law. Established rules.

Logos

Logically proof point. Appealing to audiences sense of reason or logic.

Physics

Science based reasoning or logic.