Who were the sophists and what conditions in 5th century Athens led to their prominence?
The Sophists were a group of Greek pre-Socratic scholars in the history of ancient philosophy, which are discussed under the name of a teacher of wisdom and beautiful speech. They were well versed in many fields of knowledge, such as law, science and rhetoric, and imparted their knowledge is often an additional charge. They saw themselves partly in the wake of the Seven Sages of Greece. However, the "sophistry" - especially by the representations of Plato - regarded by many contemporaries and by the entire philosophical tradition through extremely critical. Rhetorical figures, not the truth-preserving procedure, but false conclusions are intended to make, often as sophistry called. The educated middle class discourse of the 18th, 19th and early 20th Century was also a derogatory term for sophistry used.
In the 5th Century BC, the concept of sophist developed in many Greek city states, supported by a public debate on democracy. In order to form opinions on political self and other socially relevant issues and to also present, it was necessary to develop argumentative processes and express one's thoughts can be. This included extensive expertise and excellent rhetoric. The tools for the new requirements and opportunities in society and politics gave itinerant teachers, the Sophists. Through the teaching of rhetoric their students are empowered to participate in society and politics, including the clothing of leadership positions.
What did they teach a how did Socrates three interlocutors represent a radicalizing of their position in the course of the dialogue.
The midwife was the method which, combined with the use of irony, a characteristic of Socratic teaching. Under this method, Socrates in the discussions, pretending complete ignorance on the subject discussed at a time, trying ...