Question 1

Briefly describe the interests and influence of the Sophist Gorgias.

Accepted Answer

Gorgias was a prominent Sophist and rhet...

Question 2

Write an essay describing the rise and influence of the Greek Sophists. What characteristics defined the Sophists? When were they active in Greece? What did they say they would teach, and what were some of their methods of instruction? What events or social conditions contributed to their rise to prominence and their tremendous impact on Athens? Why were the Sophists so controversial?

Accepted Answer

The Greek Sophists were a group of influ...

Question 3

The Sophists claimed to be able to instruct their students in ______________ a Greek term meaning virtue, excellence, and a capacity for success.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Sophists claimed to be able to...

Question 4

What claims did the Sophists make about their teaching? What was areté?

Accepted Answer

Many Sophists claimed not only to teach verbal persuasion, but also management and leadership.Specifically, some claimed to teach areté, or virtue and excellence. This, combined with saying they could teach verbal control over audiences, made them controversial. Many Athenians did not think that areté could be taught, thinking it a characteristic akin to military or political leadership, omething one was born with. But Sophists such as Protagoras argued otherwise, holding that virtue and leadership could be taught.

Question 5

Identify and describe two major Greek Sophists discussed in the text. When was each active? What concerns or interests characterized each?

Accepted Answer

Two major Greek Sophists discussed in the text are Protagoras and Gorgias. Protagoras was active in the 5th century BCE, and he was known for his skepticism and relativism. He famously stated that "man is the measure of all things," emphasizing the subjective nature of truth and knowledge. Protagoras was concerned with the role of rhetoric and persuasion in public life, and he offered training in these skills to young men in Athens.

Gorgias, on the other hand, was active in the late 5th century BCE. He was known for his rhetorical skill and his belief in the power of language to shape reality. Gorgias was interested in the art of persuasion and the ability to manipulate language to achieve one's goals. He also explored the concept of nihilism, arguing that nothing truly exists and that even if it did, it could not be known or communicated.

Both Protagoras and Gorgias were influential figures in the development of rhetoric and philosophy in ancient Greece, and their ideas continue to be studied and debated to this day.

Question 6

The Sophists were controversial for building a view of justice centered around which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)   Thesmos: law derived from the authority of kings
B)   Nomos: social custom or convention; rule by agreement among citizens
C)   Physis: the law or rule of nature under which the strong dominate the weak
D)   Logos: law that is transcendent and derives from philosophical argumentationE) B) and C)
F) All of the above

Question 7

Why was the concept of a clash of views important to the Sophists?

Accepted Answer

Many Sophists discuss the idea that two ...

Question 8

The text makes the point that the Sophists were not the first people to practice rhetoric. If this is the case, what were the Greek Sophists the first to do with rhetoric?

Accepted Answer

The Greek Sophists were not the first to...

Question 9

Do you agree with Gorgias about the great potential in language for the control of the minds of others? What, if any, are the risks associated with great eloquence? How should the public be educated so as to have a defense against the great rhetorical skill possessed by some speakers and writers?

Accepted Answer

Contemporary students seem less suspicio...

Question 10

After reading about the Sophists, do you think they deserve the bad reputation they had with many of their contemporaries?

Accepted Answer

Some students view the Sophists as matte...

Question 11

Why was the Sophist Gorgias so interested in style and the sounds of words?

Accepted Answer

Gorgias, a prominent Sophist and rhetori...

Question 12

What was the right of isegoria?

Accepted Answer

Isegoria was the rig...

Question 13

Plato considered rhetoric a true techne or art, and was one of the first philosophers to support the Sophists.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

In the dialectic method that Sophists used to teach, speeches and arguments started from statements termed _____________, or premises that were widely believed or taken to be highly probable.

Accepted Answer

endoxa

Question 15

The Sophists built a view of justice on conventional agreements or nomos. Other possible sources of law or justice included natural law (physis), and certain truth derived from philosophical argumentation (logos). What, in your opinion, ought to be the basis of a view of justice?

Accepted Answer

Again, answers may differ widely, and a ...

Question 16

The Sophists used the dialectic method to teach their students and most believed that through the Greek term______________, or the clashing of contradictory arguments, their students would gain skill in debate as well as a better view of the truth.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Sophists used the dialectic method to...

Question 17

What freedom regarding speaking in public did Spartan women enjoy?

Accepted Answer

Spartan women enjoyed considerable freed...

Question 18

Provide the term for the following definitions:
-Social custom or convention; rule by agreement among the citizens.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Provide the term for the following definitions:
-Social...

Question 19

Which Sophist believed that a rhetor was a psychagogos or a leader of souls through a kind of rhetorical magic or incantation?

Accepted Answer

A)   Gorgias
B)   Isocrates
C)   Protagoras
D)   AristophanesE) A) and B)
F) B) and C)

Question 20

Rhetoric as a systematic discipline originated in Sicily, in the city of Syracuse.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 2: The Origins and Early History of Rhetoric

Briefly describe the interests and influence of the Sophist Gorgias.

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Gorgias was a prominent Sophist and rhet...
View Answer

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The Greek Sophists were a group of influ...
View Answer

The Sophists claimed to be able to instruct their students in ______________ a Greek term meaning virtue, excellence, and a capacity for success.

Correct Answer
verified

What claims did the Sophists make about their teaching? What was areté?

Identify and describe two major Greek Sophists discussed in the text. When was each active? What concerns or interests characterized each?

The Sophists were controversial for building a view of justice centered around which of the following?

Correct Answer
verified

Why was the concept of a clash of views important to the Sophists?

Correct Answer
verified
Many Sophists discuss the idea that two ...
View Answer

The text makes the point that the Sophists were not the first people to practice rhetoric. If this is the case, what were the Greek Sophists the first to do with rhetoric?

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The Greek Sophists were not the first to...
View Answer

Do you agree with Gorgias about the great potential in language for the control of the minds of others? What, if any, are the risks associated with great eloquence? How should the public be educated so as to have a defense against the great rhetorical skill possessed by some speakers and writers?

Correct Answer
verified
Contemporary students seem less suspicio...
View Answer

After reading about the Sophists, do you think they deserve the bad reputation they had with many of their contemporaries?

Correct Answer
verified
Some students view the Sophists as matte...
View Answer

Why was the Sophist Gorgias so interested in style and the sounds of words?

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Gorgias, a prominent Sophist and rhetori...
View Answer

What was the right of isegoria?

Correct Answer
verified
Isegoria was the rig...
View Answer

Plato considered rhetoric a true techne or art, and was one of the first philosophers to support the Sophists.

Correct Answer
verified

In the dialectic method that Sophists used to teach, speeches and arguments started from statements termed _____________, or premises that were widely believed or taken to be highly probable.

Correct Answer
verified
endoxa

The Sophists built a view of justice on conventional agreements or nomos. Other possible sources of law or justice included natural law (physis), and certain truth derived from philosophical argumentation (logos). What, in your opinion, ought to be the basis of a view of justice?

Correct Answer
verified
Again, answers may differ widely, and a ...
View Answer

The Sophists used the dialectic method to teach their students and most believed that through the Greek term______________, or the clashing of contradictory arguments, their students would gain skill in debate as well as a better view of the truth.

Correct Answer
verified

What freedom regarding speaking in public did Spartan women enjoy?

Correct Answer
verified
Spartan women enjoyed considerable freed...
View Answer

Provide the term for the following definitions: -Social custom or convention; rule by agreement among the citizens.

Correct Answer
verified

Which Sophist believed that a rhetor was a psychagogos or a leader of souls through a kind of rhetorical magic or incantation?

Correct Answer
verified

Rhetoric as a systematic discipline originated in Sicily, in the city of Syracuse.

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 2: The Origins and Early History of Rhetoric

Briefly describe the interests and influence of the Sophist Gorgias.

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIGorgias was a prominent Sophist and rhet...View AnswerShow Answer

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThe Greek Sophists were a group of influ...View AnswerShow Answer

The Sophists claimed to be able to instruct their students in ______________ a Greek term meaning virtue, excellence, and a capacity for success.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What claims did the Sophists make about their teaching? What was areté?

Identify and describe two major Greek Sophists discussed in the text. When was each active? What concerns or interests characterized each?

The Sophists were controversial for building a view of justice centered around which of the following?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Why was the concept of a clash of views important to the Sophists?

Correct AnswerverifiedMany Sophists discuss the idea that two ...View AnswerShow Answer

The text makes the point that the Sophists were not the first people to practice rhetoric. If this is the case, what were the Greek Sophists the first to do with rhetoric?

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThe Greek Sophists were not the first to...View AnswerShow Answer

Do you agree with Gorgias about the great potential in language for the control of the minds of others? What, if any, are the risks associated with great eloquence? How should the public be educated so as to have a defense against the great rhetorical skill possessed by some speakers and writers?

Correct AnswerverifiedContemporary students seem less suspicio...View AnswerShow Answer

After reading about the Sophists, do you think they deserve the bad reputation they had with many of their contemporaries?

Correct AnswerverifiedSome students view the Sophists as matte...View AnswerShow Answer

Why was the Sophist Gorgias so interested in style and the sounds of words?

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIGorgias, a prominent Sophist and rhetori...View AnswerShow Answer

What was the right of isegoria?

Correct AnswerverifiedIsegoria was the rig...View AnswerShow Answer

Plato considered rhetoric a true techne or art, and was one of the first philosophers to support the Sophists.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In the dialectic method that Sophists used to teach, speeches and arguments started from statements termed _____________, or premises that were widely believed or taken to be highly probable.

Correct Answerverifiedendoxa

The Sophists built a view of justice on conventional agreements or nomos. Other possible sources of law or justice included natural law (physis), and certain truth derived from philosophical argumentation (logos). What, in your opinion, ought to be the basis of a view of justice?

Correct AnswerverifiedAgain, answers may differ widely, and a ...View AnswerShow Answer

The Sophists used the dialectic method to teach their students and most believed that through the Greek term______________, or the clashing of contradictory arguments, their students would gain skill in debate as well as a better view of the truth.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What freedom regarding speaking in public did Spartan women enjoy?

Correct AnswerverifiedSpartan women enjoyed considerable freed...View AnswerShow Answer

Provide the term for the following definitions: -Social custom or convention; rule by agreement among the citizens.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which Sophist believed that a rhetor was a psychagogos or a leader of souls through a kind of rhetorical magic or incantation?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Rhetoric as a systematic discipline originated in Sicily, in the city of Syracuse.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Gorgias was a prominent Sophist and rhet...
View Answer

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The Greek Sophists were a group of influ...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
Many Sophists discuss the idea that two ...
View Answer

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The Greek Sophists were not the first to...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified
Contemporary students seem less suspicio...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified
Some students view the Sophists as matte...
View Answer

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Gorgias, a prominent Sophist and rhetori...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified
Isegoria was the rig...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
endoxa

Correct Answer
verified
Again, answers may differ widely, and a ...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
Spartan women enjoyed considerable freed...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified