430 B. C.)-Sophist Prodicus Ceos, Athens
Prodicus (fl. 430 B.C.) [Ceos, Athens]. Correct terminology was the specialist subject of our final Sophist Prodicus; in this way he influenced science. He taught ethics and civic affairs and served frequently as ambassador to Athens, where he made a favourable impression. He claimed that Sophists combined the virtues of the statesman and the philosopher. He gave instruction in rhetoric and oratory to many wealthy young men, whom he charged large sums. Socrates said he had studied with Prodicus but could only afford a short course; however he sent other pupils to him. In teaching rhetoric, Prodicus advocated moderate length of speeches. In ethics he taught that the good was relative to the user, as in the case of wealth. In religion he
…show more content…
Many writers of philosophy and philosophical history tend to write off this period as not so important, perhaps a sort of learning curve period, not to be taken too seriously. Not so, this Pre-Socratic period laid extremely important foundations on which others were able, effectively, to build. Among them honourable men who, (although today we may consider them to be 'off their trolley,') at least spoke their true thoughts and beliefs, but in the main of course, incorrect because they lacked knowledge. Not all that followed were so honest with their true thought, unlike Socrates, who died for his and although we attach him to the next phase, he was of course of this time. Then again perhaps those that were to follow had more reason to be fearful of the consequences of speaking the truth as they saw it. The basic question at this point in the history of thought was, whether there was any way out of Agnosticism and scepticism. Perhaps and more to the point we might ask ourselves, what is wrong with agnosticism and scepticism, bearing in mind what we know up to this point in time, and how it is to be camouflaged for future generations? We will observe as we progress through these early times, how religions and religious thought is developed and moulded into every-day
Many writers of philosophy and philosophical history tend to write off this period as not so important, perhaps a sort of learning curve period, not to be taken too seriously. Not so, this Pre-Socratic period laid extremely important foundations on which others were able, effectively, to build. Among them honourable men who, (although today we may consider them to be 'off their trolley,') at least spoke their true thoughts and beliefs, but in the main of course, incorrect because they lacked knowledge. Not all that followed were so honest with their true thought, unlike Socrates, who died for his and although we attach him to the next phase, he was of course of this time. Then again perhaps those that were to follow had more reason to be fearful of the consequences of speaking the truth as they saw it. The basic question at this point in the history of thought was, whether there was any way out of Agnosticism and scepticism. Perhaps and more to the point we might ask ourselves, what is wrong with agnosticism and scepticism, bearing in mind what we know up to this point in time, and how it is to be camouflaged for future generations? We will observe as we progress through these early times, how religions and religious thought is developed and moulded into every-day