Lesson 2 Communication (Part 2)

The Beginning of the Study of Human Communication (Part 2): The Sophists

Overview

• The Sophists were early influential teachers of rhetoric and philosophy in ancient Greece.

Important Sophists

• Gorgias of Leontini

• Hippias

• Isocrates

• Lysias

Gorgias of Leontini

• Lifespan: 483-376 B.C.

• Role as an Ambassador from Leontini to Athens during the civil war with the Syracusians.

• Known for Ceremonial Rhetoric around 408 B.C. at the Feast of Zeus in Olympia.

• Emphasized the

  • Power of Words: The ability of rhetoric to influence thoughts and feelings.

  • Liberation & Imprisonment ideas.

  • Concept that Words Can Change Your Brain.

Gorgias’ Philosophical Contributions

On Nature

• Nothing Exists

  • Proposed that we do not experience reality directly (M&K, 2003).

• If It Did Exist, We Couldn’t Know It

  • Suggested that we only experience reality through the words we use (M&K, 2003).

• If We Could Know It, We Couldn’t Communicate It

  • Argued that since everyone experiences the world uniquely, perfect communication is impossible (M&K, 2003).

The Power of Words

• Gorgias articulated that:

  • Speech is a powerful lord that impacts emotions and actions.

  • It has the capacity to stop fear, banish grief, create joy, and nurture pity.

Other Important Sophists

Hippias

• Contributed to the foundation of Liberal Arts education.

• Emphasized the importance of lifelong learning.

Isocrates

• Advocated for phronesis (practical wisdom), which is essential for effective rhetoric.

Lysias

• Known as a Logographer (logos + graphe), specializing in legal speeches.

• Referred to as “The Father of Lawyers.”

The Sophists in Summary

1. View on Knowledge:

   • Skeptical, relativistic stance on absolute knowledge.

   • Belief that either no absolute "Truth" exists or we cannot know it if it does.

2. Reality:

   • Viewed as created, negotiable, and situated in culture.

3. Rhetoric:

   • Seen as a powerful tool for creating perceptions of reality.

4. Positives of Sophistry:

   • Tolerant, practical, and democratic approach.

5. Negatives of Sophistry:

   • Criticized as shallow, unscrupulous, and possessing a limited sense of human evil.