Antiphon the Sophist: The Fragments

by Antiphon, Gerard J. Pendrick (Translator)

The ancient Greek philosopher Antiphon was a contemporary of Socrates who lived in the fifth century BCE Athens. Antiphon wrote several major works, which have survived only in very fragmentary form. All that is known about these works as well as about Antiphon is included in this study. The material is translated, and its significance assessed in a detailed commentary that addresses the numerous problems raised by the fragmentary material. Antiphon's contribution to the wider history of ideas is addressed in conclusion.

Genres: Philosophy

486 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Limner Locin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the earliest political philosophy and undoubtedly the earliest anarchist philosophy known.

Antiphon the sophist should not be confused with Antiphon of Rhamnus, who argued a starkly different political philosophy than Antiphon the sophist.

One of the earliest arguments for anarchism (I think it is presented in this book) said, in a sense:
"Why subscribe to the law if has no effect to stop a crime when it happens? Especially when, upon calling on the help of the law when violated in their possessions or their well-being, one then brings themselves before the law, making them culpable to it, and risking them being in the wrong by it for some unrelated matter?"

~5th c. BCE

(A)

For all of history, the wise have known the truth of it, and the fools have been fooled.

[Illiterate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nature and natural morality are true. Convention less so, although it’s wise to seem to follow it. (Pendrick argues the sophist and orator are different people).