Question 1

How is the practice of rhetoric, as taught by the Sophists, related to philosophical relativism and skepticism?

Accepted Answer

The practice of rhetoric, as taught by the Sophists, is related to philosophical relativism and skepticism in several ways.

First, the Sophists were known for their emphasis on the art of persuasion and the ability to argue both sides of an issue. This approach to rhetoric suggests a relativistic view of truth, as it implies that truth is not absolute but rather dependent on the persuasiveness of the argument. This aligns with the idea of philosophical relativism, which holds that truth and morality are not universal but are instead relative to individual perspectives and cultural norms.

Additionally, the Sophists' emphasis on rhetoric and persuasion can be seen as promoting skepticism towards the existence of objective truth. By teaching the art of persuasion and the ability to manipulate language and argumentation, the Sophists may have contributed to a skeptical attitude towards the possibility of attaining certain knowledge or objective truth.

Furthermore, the Sophists' teachings often focused on the idea that knowledge is subjective and influenced by individual perceptions and biases. This aligns with the skeptical view that our understanding of the world is limited and that we cannot have complete certainty about the nature of reality.

In summary, the practice of rhetoric as taught by the Sophists is related to philosophical relativism and skepticism through its emphasis on the subjective nature of truth, the role of persuasion in shaping beliefs, and the skepticism towards the possibility of attaining objective knowledge.

Question 2

The Chinese philosophical debates about logic and language are never far from political and moral concerns. They recognized the importance of being precise with words as well as, for the Daoists, inconsistency and vagueness of words. Bring in Chad Hansen's discussion on the philosophy of language in the Zhuangzi and the Laozi to facilitate comparison with early Wittgenstein and the logical positivists. Chad Hansen, A Daoist Theory of Chinese Thought: A Philosophical Interpretation, Oxford University Press (1992). Alternatively, this is a good opportunity to discuss propaganda and rhetoric as ways to facilitate (or dissolve) moral and societal cohesion.

Accepted Answer

The Chinese philosophical debates about ...

Question 3

The Zhuangzi can be used to problematize discussions about contemporary environmentalism and activism. What would characterize a natural and wúwéi response to such unnatural changes as increased pollution?

Accepted Answer

The Zhuangzi, a foundational text of Dao...

Question 4

The relation between nomos and physis is that

Accepted Answer

A)   the former indicates what is true by nature and the latter does not.
B)   nothing true by nomos could contradict anything true by physis.
C)   we can change the former, but not the latter.
D)   nomos is divine and physis is human.E) None of the above
F) A) and B) C

Question 5

The key idea in rhetoric is that

Accepted Answer

A)   one should speak the truth, no matter how it affects one's interests.
B)   one should be able to make a persuasive case for any position.
C)   with its help, one can avoid sleepwalking through life and align oneself with the logos.
D)   no one should take advantage of another because of rhetorical skill.E) B) and C)
F) A) and B)

Question 6

Is it more important to be just or to appear just? In answering this question, be sure to indicate clearly whether and when you mean to be speaking of justice by physis and when of justice by nomos.

Accepted Answer

When considering the importance of being...

Question 7

When Protagoras says that man is the measure of all things, he means that

Accepted Answer

A)   it is only man, of all the animals, that has devised measures for distance, weight, temperature, etc.
B)   what exists must be measured by what all men have in common.
C)   there is no objective criterion available to humans by which to judge truth and goodness.
D)   measuring is important to man for building all sorts of things.E) B) and D)
F) B) and C)

Question 8

Facilitate discussion about the similarities and differences between Mozi's description of universal caring and utilitarianism or Enlightenment-inspired liberalism. Ultimately, even though the Mozi argues for the logical coherence of universal love (or perhaps humaneness is more accurate), it is not at the expense of unique and particular relationships.

Accepted Answer

Mozi's description of universal caring, ...

Question 9

Characterize Socrates as he is portrayed in Aristophanes' comic play The Clouds.
As the play opens, Socrates is portrayed as a Sophist, hanging in a basket studying things in the heavens. He runs a school called the Thinkery and accepts students for pay. He promises to teach students how to make the weaker argument into the stronger, and he is a thorough rascal.

Accepted Answer

In Aristophanes' play "The Clouds," Socr...

Question 10

Explain the difference between nomos and physis, offering an example of each (different from any example discussed in the text or in class).

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the difference between nomos and physis,...

Question 11

Contrast Heraclitus and Sophocles' character Antigone, on the one hand, with Antiphon the Sophist, on the other hand, about the existence and character of natural justice.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Contrast Heraclitus and Sophocles' character Antigone, on...

Question 12

What does Protagoras promise to teach Hippocrates?

Accepted Answer

A)   Proper management of his own affairs and the affairs of the city.
B)   Cleverness in speaking so he can avoid paying his debts.
C)   Geometry, astronomy, and flute playing.
D)   The traditional Greek virtues, as exemplified in the works of Homer.E) A) and B)
F) C) and D)

Question 13

On which point does Pericles not express pride in Athens?

Accepted Answer

A)   The government of Athens is a model for neighboringCity-states to copy.
B)   Athenians obey their laws.
C)   Athenians love what is beautiful without becoming soft.
D)   Athens has conquered most of the known world.E) B) and D)
F) A) and B)

Question 14

Discussion of wúwéi benefits from the idea of "being in the zone" in the sense that one can in a way see what is going to happen before it does. This prescience is essential to acting without artifice. For example, Cook Ding describing his experience of the ox already being in pieces as soon as it is brought to him.

Accepted Answer

The concept of wúwéi, or non-action, ben...

Question 15

Compare Heraclitus, who says that we are all in daily contact with the logos-though most of us live in private worlds of our own-with Protagoras, who says that of all things, man is the measure.

Accepted Answer

Heraclitus and Protagoras both offer dif...

Question 16

When Herodotus quotes Pindar's saying that custom is king over all, he means that

Accepted Answer

A)   each group thinks its own native religion and culture to be the best.
B)   nobody would ever question his own customs, which rule supreme in his habits and actions.
C)   relativism is a mistake.
D)   the king decides what customs his people should adopt.E) None of the above
F) A) and D)

Question 17

What did the Sophists claim to teach their students?

Accepted Answer

They claimed to teach arete, excellence. They promised to instruct students in all those skills and arts that would make them successful in their city and in their private affairs.

Question 18

In his comic play The Clouds, Aristophanes portrays Socrates as

Accepted Answer

A)   a critic of the Sophists
B)   the one who burns down the Thinkery
C)   the father of Pheidippides, who wants him to learn how to make the weaker argument into the stronger
D)   someone who teaches for payE) A) and B)
F) B) and C)

Question 19

What does Protagoras say about belief in the gods?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does Protagoras say about belief in...

Question 20

Antiphon argues that

Accepted Answer

A)   most of the things that are lawful (in the sense of physis)  are hostile to nature.
B)   it is better to suffer injustice than to do injustice.
C)   if you break the rules of society for some advantage to yourself, physis will see that you are punished.
D)   in any case, victory goes to the best speaker.E) All of the above
F) B) and C)

Exam 4: The Sophists: Rhetoric and Relativism in Athens

How is the practice of rhetoric, as taught by the Sophists, related to philosophical relativism and skepticism?

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The Chinese philosophical debates about ...
View Answer

The Zhuangzi can be used to problematize discussions about contemporary environmentalism and activism. What would characterize a natural and wúwéi response to such unnatural changes as increased pollution?

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The Zhuangzi, a foundational text of Dao...
View Answer

The relation between nomos and physis is that

Correct Answer
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C

The key idea in rhetoric is that

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Is it more important to be just or to appear just? In answering this question, be sure to indicate clearly whether and when you mean to be speaking of justice by physis and when of justice by nomos.

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
When considering the importance of being...
View Answer

When Protagoras says that man is the measure of all things, he means that

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Mozi's description of universal caring, ...
View Answer

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
In Aristophanes' play "The Clouds," Socr...
View Answer

Explain the difference between nomos and physis, offering an example of each (different from any example discussed in the text or in class).

Correct Answer
verified

Contrast Heraclitus and Sophocles' character Antigone, on the one hand, with Antiphon the Sophist, on the other hand, about the existence and character of natural justice.

Correct Answer
verified

What does Protagoras promise to teach Hippocrates?

Correct Answer
verified

On which point does Pericles not express pride in Athens?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The concept of wúwéi, or non-action, ben...
View Answer

Compare Heraclitus, who says that we are all in daily contact with the logos-though most of us live in private worlds of our own-with Protagoras, who says that of all things, man is the measure.

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Heraclitus and Protagoras both offer dif...
View Answer

When Herodotus quotes Pindar's saying that custom is king over all, he means that

Correct Answer
verified

What did the Sophists claim to teach their students?

Correct Answer
verified
They claimed to teach arete, excellence. They promised to instruct students in all those skills and arts that would make them successful in their city and in their private affairs.

In his comic play The Clouds, Aristophanes portrays Socrates as

Correct Answer
verified

What does Protagoras say about belief in the gods?

Correct Answer
verified

Antiphon argues that

Correct Answer
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Exam 4: The Sophists: Rhetoric and Relativism in Athens

How is the practice of rhetoric, as taught by the Sophists, related to philosophical relativism and skepticism?

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThe Chinese philosophical debates about ...View AnswerShow Answer

The Zhuangzi can be used to problematize discussions about contemporary environmentalism and activism. What would characterize a natural and wúwéi response to such unnatural changes as increased pollution?

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThe Zhuangzi, a foundational text of Dao...View AnswerShow Answer

The relation between nomos and physis is that

Correct AnswerverifiedC

The key idea in rhetoric is that

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Is it more important to be just or to appear just? In answering this question, be sure to indicate clearly whether and when you mean to be speaking of justice by physis and when of justice by nomos.

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIWhen considering the importance of being...View AnswerShow Answer

When Protagoras says that man is the measure of all things, he means that

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIMozi's description of universal caring, ...View AnswerShow Answer

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIIn Aristophanes' play "The Clouds," Socr...View AnswerShow Answer

Explain the difference between nomos and physis, offering an example of each (different from any example discussed in the text or in class).

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Contrast Heraclitus and Sophocles' character Antigone, on the one hand, with Antiphon the Sophist, on the other hand, about the existence and character of natural justice.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What does Protagoras promise to teach Hippocrates?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

On which point does Pericles not express pride in Athens?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThe concept of wúwéi, or non-action, ben...View AnswerShow Answer

Compare Heraclitus, who says that we are all in daily contact with the logos-though most of us live in private worlds of our own-with Protagoras, who says that of all things, man is the measure.

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIHeraclitus and Protagoras both offer dif...View AnswerShow Answer

When Herodotus quotes Pindar's saying that custom is king over all, he means that

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What did the Sophists claim to teach their students?

Correct AnswerverifiedThey claimed to teach arete, excellence. They promised to instruct students in all those skills and arts that would make them successful in their city and in their private affairs.

In his comic play The Clouds, Aristophanes portrays Socrates as

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What does Protagoras say about belief in the gods?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Antiphon argues that

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
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The Chinese philosophical debates about ...
View Answer

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The Zhuangzi, a foundational text of Dao...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified
C

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
When considering the importance of being...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Mozi's description of universal caring, ...
View Answer

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
In Aristophanes' play "The Clouds," Socr...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The concept of wúwéi, or non-action, ben...
View Answer

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Heraclitus and Protagoras both offer dif...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
They claimed to teach arete, excellence. They promised to instruct students in all those skills and arts that would make them successful in their city and in their private affairs.

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified