Wise Guys
This group of "Philosophers" were often at odds with Socrates.
Who are the Sophists?
Though Socrates had many conversations around Athens, he never wrote anything down. Instead, we know what we know about him mainly from this student of his.
Who is Plato?
This poison is what Socrates drank at his execution.
What is Hemlock?
This Sophist claimed rhetoric was the highest skill since its persuasive powers can convince everyone with other skills to bow down before it.
Who is Gorgias?
This term refers to the belief that the ultimate good is happiness and pleasure.
What is hedonism?
A method that involves one person asking questions and another answering, which Socrates believed was superior to merely lecturing.
What is Dialectic (or the Socratic Method)?
This minor Socratic school, founded by Aristippus of Cyrene, was actually hedonistic in their philosophy, even though Aristippus was a student of Socrates himself.
What is the Cyrenaic School?
This Sophist is known for his claim that "Might makes Right", that is, virtue could be conquered with his fists.
Who is Callicles?
This term is Greek for "Good Spirit" and views happiness as the goal of ethics/virtue/excellence.
What is Eudaimonia?
This term refers to the deceptive, illogical, but clever use of words.
What is sophistry?
This minor Socratic school believed we should "go back to nature" and live free from the made up rules of society. I don't know about you, but if I weren't me, I would want to be Diogenes.
What is the Cynic school?
This Sophist claimed that he could make "the worse argument the better", but I'm not convinced.
Who is Protagoras?
Socrates and many of his followers were eudaemonists, specifically believing that this entity exists, that is, something from which all goodness comes and that acting in the right way to achieve this universal good will bring you happiness/fulfillment.
What is "The Good"?
Because he would annoyingly buzz around, bite, and get people moving/thinking with his method of questioning, he was given this nickname.
What is the Gadfly of Athens?
This minor Socratic school believed that virtue was merely knowledge, and also believed that "All is One", much like our friend Parmenides.
What is the Megarian School?
The sophists taught the art of persuasion, which is also known as this term.
What is rhetoric?
Though Socrates did not see himself as wise at all, this famous prophetess, dedicated to the God Apollo, declared him to be the wisest of all because he "knew what he did not know".
What is the Oracle of Delphi?