Sophism and Plato's Republic

The emergence of the Sophists and Socratics brought an intellectual upheaval in Greece after the end of the Persian Wars in 479 BCE; the great fifty years that followed brought an intellectual explosion in Greece.   The explosion gave birth to two groups of philosophers: The Sophists and The Socratics, who disagreed with one another in the fifth and fourth century BCE over politics, ethics and morality.   This paper endeavours to exemplify how Plato regards the Sophist philosophy as being flawed. Through Socrates, Plato advocates his claim without providing resolution to the question of justice in book one of The Republic. Prior to concentrating on the dialogue between Thrasymachus and Socrates concerning justice, one must understand the philosophies of the men. This paper will commence with an explanation of Thrasymachus’ philosophical group, the Sophists.   A development of their foundations, concerns, as well as their history will enable comprehension on where Thrasymachus’ thoughts of justice derive. After addressing the Sophist philosophy, revealing the Socratic philosophy is imperative; conveying what Socratic philosophy is and how Socratic arguments develop. Lastly, once the philosophies of both Thrasymachus and Socrates are clear, there will be an analysis of their conversation on justice in book 1 of The Republic.
The Sophist philosophy rose during the “Great Fifty Years”, a time when Athens became the power of Greece.   During this time, Athens reached a new level of artistic achievement and material gain.   Furthermore, the religion and ethics of Greece at this moment differentiated on family traditions.   In the fifth century, especially in Athens, individuals held their citizen duties as supremely important and a full time job.   The common Athenian individual focused on perfecting an art form, the art of public life.   Individuals needed teachers if they were to perfect this art form and these teachers were known as the Sophists.   The Sophists were...