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The presocratic philosopher Protagoras of Abdera (490-420 BC), founder of the sophistic movement, was famously agnostic towards the existence and nature of the gods, and was the proponent of the doctrine that 'man is the measure of all things'. Still relevant to contemporary society, Protagoras is in many ways a precursor of the postmodern movement. In the brief fragments that survive, he lays the foundation for relativism, agnosticism, the significance of rhetoric, a pedagogy for critical thinking and a conception of the human being as a social construction.
This accessible introductory survey by Daniel Silvermintz covers Protagoras' life, ideas and lasting legacy. Each chapter interprets one of the surviving fragments and draws connections with related ideas forwarded by other sophists, showing its relevance to an area of knowledge: epistemology, ethics, education and sociology.
List of contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
Notes on Sources
1. From Humble Beginnings to Celebrated Teacher
2. Protagoras and Pericles
3. Protagoras' Secret Teaching
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Daniel Silvermintz is Associate Professor of Humanities at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, USA.
Summary
The presocratic philosopher Protagoras of Abdera (490–420 BC), founder of the sophistic movement, was famously agnostic towards the existence and nature of the gods, and was the proponent of the doctrine that ‘man is the measure of all things’. Still relevant to contemporary society, Protagoras is in many ways a precursor of the postmodern movement. In the brief fragments that survive, he lays the foundation for relativism, agnosticism, the significance of rhetoric, a pedagogy for critical thinking and a conception of the human being as a social construction.
This accessible introductory survey by Daniel Silvermintz covers Protagoras’ life, ideas and lasting legacy. Each chapter interprets one of the surviving fragments and draws connections with related ideas forwarded by other sophists, showing its relevance to an area of knowledge: epistemology, ethics, education and sociology.
Foreword
A concise introductory guide to Protagoras and his relevance for the contemporary reader.
Additional text
This short book ... can be recommended for at least three reasons: it is the only available introduction to Protagoras; its style is detailed, but nonetheless enjoyable, which makes it perfect reading for undergraduate students; and, in its final chapter, it offers a fascinating, albeit admittedly ‘speculative’ thesis, which will surely peak the interest of specialists as well.
