The Sophists: Rhetoric, Democracy, and Plato's Idea of Sophistry

by Harold Barrett

This book is a work on the beginnings of the study of rhetoric and communication. The Greek sophists of the 5th century B.C. were major contributors to the development of rhetoric, democracy, education, and western culture generally; and their influence is felt to this day. Special treatment is given to Plato's use of the sophists' teachings in his indictment of human predisposition and democratic institutions, with special attention to and a cogent analysis of Plato's rhetorical strategies in building his case on the morality of humankind.

Genres: Philosophy

85 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1987

Reviews

[Ali Berk]

Until the last chapter it deserved three stars or maybe even two, however in the last part, he remarkably and quite successfully challenged the idea that Plato is the embodiment of the true philosopher and the Sophists of the fifth century BC (Protagoras, Gorgias, Prodicus, Hippias, and Thrasymachus) are nothing more than fancy pretenders who constantly assumes knowledge.

I have always been quite disturbed with such an interpretation of Ancient Greek Philosophy and it made me happy to see that there are others who think like that. Although the descriptive and the introductory parts of the text is quite unsatisfactory, reading the parts in which Barrett resists the Plato-obsessed historiography is joyful and exciting. I would not recommend anyone to read this just to learn about Sophists (there are I think much more detailed books on the matter), however it would be more than enough I guess to challenge one of the most rooted conventions within the whole history of philosophy.

[Christie]

In defense of the Sophists comes Barrett's observations of rhetoric and sophistry. It was an interesting counterargument to Plato.