SOPHISTIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO RHETORIC

A quick review of some early important sophistic contributions to rhetoric

1. Progatoras:

Man is the measure of all things. A philosophical notion of skepticism, separating forever the Greeks from the mythos. Also proposed that two-sided arguments will help in that measurement endeavor.

About Protagoras from Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

2. Empedocles: Early philosopher from Sicily. We don't know for sure how to separate his ideas from those of Protagoras. Empedocles was probably a teacher to Corax, Tisias, and Gorgias (or at least a strong influence on the teaching they received). He presented the idea of antithetical thought: dissoi-logic= due to an awarenes of the limitations brought on by sense perceptions (Bacon will later build on this theme), one should propose reciprocal oppositions as a way to move toward the truth and reality of things. For example, the ancient stories of rhetoric's invention in Sicily had to do with land claims brought about when invaders, who had taken away historical family lands, were driven off (happened a couple of times in hundred year intervals) . . . afterwards, courts were asked to rule as to the rightful landowner. Where is the reality in the face of multiple multi-generational claims on the same land?

3. Corax/Tisias:

also from Sicily where arguments had been used, extensively to re-establish land ownership rights. General probability (one of any two statements is more likely than the other). Arguments based on likelihood, probability, rather than evidence. Four parts of the speech (introduction, argument, refutation, conclusion).

4 Gorgias:

also from Sicily. Poetic style in oratory (known as the Asian--new and somewhat flowery rather than Attic--old, to the point), especially extensive use of figurative language. Theory of knowledge based on Protagoras' skepticism (Nothing exists, even if it did we can't know it, even if we could, we could not express it to others). Theory of the opportune, vis-a-vis audiences--getting them into the right frame/time/space for the message.

5. Lysias: plain, middle, grand styles of speech.

back to lecture note index