Reflection

The Sophists believed that truth is based on relativism. Relativism is the belief that knowledge is determined by specific qualities of the observer, including ethnicity, age, gender, religious training, and cultural conditioning. The Sophists taught that we only believed things that seem true according to our culture. They also taught that individuals only believe that their ways are best because that is what truth within their culture is. The Sophists also break down relativism into two basic variants. The two basic variants are cultural relativism and individual relativism. Socrates argued that in order for individuals to know the truth they had to know themselves first. He believed that human beings always seek what they believed to be their own welfare. He also believed that when people do bad things, it is always with some good in mind. Socrates taught that in order to “know myself,” I have to know what kind of person I am. Without this knowledge you cannot know what is good for you. Socrates believed that no one knowingly does wrong. He also believed that knowledge always produces behavioral results, because behavior is always guided by beliefs. The Sophists looked outward of well-being and success, and Socrates looked inward at character. My understanding is that the Socrates believed that the Sophists were wrong because they believed that what you think is right in your culture is always right. The Sophist thought that everything you know has to do with your ethnicity, age, gender, religion training, place of birth, family habits, and personal abilities and preferences. Socrates believed that we as individuals do not knowingly does harm. My understanding of this is that if you are not taught right from wrong then you will not know any better. I am able to grasp what the Sophists and Socrates are saying. Your actions are what you are taught or your beliefs. Your actions and beliefs have a lot to do with your age, cultural surroundings,