The+Sophists+-+WT+Jones

I. Contents Overview

• The Classical Mind

• Pre-Socratic Philosophy

• Education Through Violence

• Atomism

• Plato: The Theory of Forms

• Plato: The Special Sciences

• Aristotle: Metaphysics, Natural Science, Logic

• Aristotle: Ethics, Politics, Art

• The Late Classical Period

• The Medieval Mind

• The New Religious Orientation

• Christianity: The Formative Years

• Augustine: God the Creator

• Augustine: The Created Universe

• The Medieval Interval

• Thomas: Metaphysics

• Thomas: Psychology, Ethics, Politics

• The End of the Middle Ages

• Hobbes to Hume

• Renaissance

• Reformation

• Science and Scientific Method

• Hobbes

• Descartes

• Spinoza

• Leibniz

• Locke

• Berkeley

• Hume

• Kant to Wittgenstein and Sartre

II. The Classical Mind: Education Through Violence

• Medea's Revenge

  • The narrative begins when Jason abandons Medea for a politically advantageous marriage, putting personal ambition above loyalty.

  • Medea, a character driven by deep emotional passions, plots her exacting revenge on Jason, which leads to catastrophic consequences not only for him but also for herself and their children.

  • This violent retribution highlights the conflict between the rational traditions of Greek culture and the intense emotions that can lead individuals to abandon moral considerations.

• Greek Ideals of Community

  • Through Jason’s actions, the play critiques and illustrates the advantages of Greek culture, where societal order and adherence to laws are paramount.

  • However, the eruption of war and chaos represents a breakdown of these ideals, paralleling Medea’s emotional turmoil resulting in violence.

  • Jason’s calculated egoism exemplifies a type of individualism that starkly contrasts with Medea’s overwhelming passion which disrupts the codes of conduct expected in society.

• Moderation and the Concept of Sophrosyne

  • The chorus, acting as a moral and philosophical guide, advises Medea to have moderation and to reject her desire for vengeance, pointing to the Greek ideal of Sophrosyne which embodies self-discipline and balance in life.

  • The concept of Sophrosyne serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining one’s emotions within reasonable limits, emphasizing that excess, whether in passion or egoism, leads to a distracted and unfulfilling life.

III. The Sophists

• Emergence of Sophism

  • The Sophists arose during a time of significant socio-political change, acting as educators to the new aristocracy.

  • They shifted the focus of education from the cultivation of noble virtues to practical skills essential for success in a democratic society, emphasizing rhetoric and debate as tools for persuasion and influence.

• Views on Virtue and Morality

  • The Sophists posited that virtue was not an absolute standard but rather a means to achieve success, often clashing with traditional moral codes.

  • Protagoras championed the idea that conformity to societal customs was essential for attaining virtue, whereas Thrasymachus critiqued established norms and promoted a radical perspective advocating for a morality based on power dynamics.

• Critique and Impact of the Sophists

  • The Sophists’ teachings instigated a profound critique of established beliefs, promoting the view that ethics is subjective and contingent upon social constructs.

  • Their focus on language manipulation and the power it holds further engraved philosophy into human experience over natural phenomena, marking a significant cultural and intellectual shift in Greek society.

• Conclusion

  • Overall, the Sophists played a crucial role in challenging traditional norms, reflecting broader cultural transformations during their time and laying groundwork for future philosophical inquiries into ethics and human behavior.