Summary
W.K.C. Guthrie: History of Greek Philosophy
Sophists-Socrates
The third volume of the book deals with sophists in the first part, and in the second part it gives a detailed account of Socrates' philosophizing.
In what sense do the sophists act as enlighteners of the ancient Greek world who, while relativizing traditional values and the religious worldview, advocate total ethical indifference, the reader can look for answers to the questions in this book. The relationship between philosophy and oratory, education using universal values, the role of man in society, the question of equality, and the relationship between written and unwritten law are discussed through consideration of the opposing terms "physis" and "nomos". The most important sophists are presented by name: Protagoras, Gorgias, Prodicus, Hippias, Antiphon, Thrasymachus, Critias, Anistenus, etc.
In the second part of the third volume, Guthrie examines Socrates' philosophy in detail, thematizing the issue of sources that can serve as a starting point for the reconstruction of his philosophy (Xenophon, early Plato's dialogues, Aristotle's testimony).
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