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Σοφιστής
Author: Plato
Bookshelves: Philosophy & Ethics, Category: Classics of Literature, Category: Philosophy & Ethics
Summary
"Σοφιστής" by Plato is a philosophical dialogue probably written in the 4th century BC. The text explores critical metaphysical concepts, primarily focusing on the nature and definition of a sophist, contrasting this with philosophers and statesmen through a method of dialectic reasoning. Central to the discussion are characters such as Socrates, Theodorus, and the Eleatic Stranger, who engage in deep philosophical inquiry. The opening of the dialogue showcases a conversation where Socrates and Theodorus introduce a new guest, the Eleatic Stranger, who is a learned philosopher. They discuss the nature of sophism and seek to define the differencing terms: sophist, philosopher, and statesman. As they navigate through their inquiry, they examine various forms of knowledge and expertise, likening the sophistic practice to forms of both hunting and commerce, drawing intricate connections between different crafts and knowledge forms. The conversation sets a tone of exploration and complexity, indicating the challenge of reaching concrete definitions in philosophical discussions. (This is an automatically generated summary.)