The Sophist Movement
...This philosophy, Sophism, became an art of speech making and cross-examination. It consists of using logic and science to give a reasonable answer to the unexplainable. However, sophism has also created much controversy amongst the Athenians; some considered it as a form of Atheism. The main theme of this essay is the rise of the Sophist movement and how it was both beneficial and controversial to the Athenian society. In this essay, I shall discuss the aspects of Sophism and how it has affected the Athenian society. My essay will be divided into three main body parts to answer three questions. In part I, I shall discuss of what Sophism is as a system of education. What does it teach? In part II, I shall discuss of how it relates with religion. More specifically, it will be based on how Sophism deals with Oracles and Omens. Furthermore, I shall discuss of how Sophists make their decisions without relying on oracles and omens. I shall also use famous Athenian Sophists such as Pericles to support my theme in both parts. The final part will be based on all the information I gained to answer the next question: Is Socrates is a sophist or not? I shall prove to what extent will this philosopher be considered a Sophist? The only sources I shall use to prove my thesis are The Rise and Fall of Athens: Nine Greek Lives by Plutarch, History of Peloponnesian War by Thucydides, and The Last day of Socrates by Plato, and the notes I took from the lectures given by Professor Trumbach.
I
With the rise of Democratic polis, the mid-fifth century Athenian could not gain power through aggressive means. Instead, speaking skills were adapted to the needs of the public and political life, much of which revolved around the use of oratory as the medium through which political decisions were made and through which philosophical ideas were developed and spread. This has led to the...
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