Thesis advisor: John Sallis / Unlike the vast majority of the Platonic dialogues, which feature Socrates as the primary interlocutor, the conversation depicted in Plato's Sophist is led by a Stranger from Elea. While some scholars claim that Socrates' silence throughout the majority of the dialogue and Plato's replacement of Socrates with another philosophic protagonist imply an abandonment of Plato's "earlier," Socratic concerns, careful attention to the Sophist suggests otherwise. In fact, the Sophist appears to be one of the few places in the Platonic corpus where Plato chooses to have two mature philosophers (Socrates and the Eleatic Stranger) confront each other. Plato's dramatic chronology suggests that the conversation depicted in the Sophist takes place the day after Socrates has heard the indictment against him. Thus, the Sophist is part of the series of Platonic dialogues that portray the last days of Socrates--the days leading up to his trial and execution at the hands of the Athenian multitude. At the beginning of the Sophist, Socrates playfully describes the Eleatic Stranger as a cross-examining philosopher-deity who has come to evaluate and judge his philosophical logoi. Additionally, Socrates encourages the Eleatic Stranger to explain the relationship between the philosopher and the sophistic appearance that the philosopher takes on before the ignorant multitude. Socrates remarks imply that while the Athenian demos may not have genuinely understood him, a more accurate inquest can be made by a fellow philosopher. In fact, in the Sophist, the Eleatic Stranger indirectly interrogates the philosophical claims made by Socrates in a variety of other Platonic dialogues. However, the Eleatic Stranger does not simply valorize Socrates' approach to philosophy. While the Eleatic Stranger and Socrates often share similar interests, concerns and conclusions, the Eleatic Stranger is also highly critical of and offers alternatives to some of Socrates' characteristic logoi. In this way, Plato appears to stage a philosophical trial of Socrates in the Sophist--one that encourages his readers to think deeply about the true character of the philosophical life. This dissertation examines the similarities and the differences between Plato's Socrates and the Eleatic Stranger in order to shed light on Plato's own conception of the nature and limits of the philosophical life. It takes the form of a commentary on Plato's Sophist and highlights the conflicts between Socrates and the Eleatic Stranger. Special attention is paid to the Eleatic Stranger and Socrates' disagreements about philosophical methodology and philosophical ontology, both of which are highlighted by the Stranger's critical remarks about Socratic logoi. It is argued that Plato does not side either with the Eleatic Stranger or with Socrates. Instead of simply dismissing one of his philosophical protagonists, Plato encourages his readers to confront both and, thus, begin the investigation of the true nature of philosophy for themselves. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2012. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Philosophy.

BRAZIL, Vicente Thiago Freire. O mo(vi)mento do discurso em Górgias: do tratado sobre a natureza ou não-ser para o elogio de Helena. 2012. 95f. – Dissertação (Mestrado) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Programa de Pós-graduação em Filosofia, Fortaleza (CE), 2012. / Submitted by Márcia Araújo (marcia_m_bezerra@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-11-11T16:45:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2012-DIS-VTFBRAZIL.pdf: 942206 bytes, checksum: 5c21a3809ff7f90ebc2ede311f6fce56 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Márcia Araújo(marcia_m_bezerra@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-11-12T10:44:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2012-DIS-VTFBRAZIL.pdf: 942206 bytes, checksum: 5c21a3809ff7f90ebc2ede311f6fce56 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-11-12T10:44:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2012-DIS-VTFBRAZIL.pdf: 942206 bytes, checksum: 5c21a3809ff7f90ebc2ede311f6fce56 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / The aim of this research is central reason on the concept of discursiveness in Gorgias of Leontino based two of his main works in the accessible, The Treaty on the Non-being or About The Nature and Praise of Helena. Intend to demonstrate that the Logos has in Georgias a role of full mention, and this is a constant theme of "moment" in gorgian thought, which may be understood as the wire of the work of the leontineese. Despite the recognition of "moment" of the speech in Gorgias, it shows that also in this research that this is absolutely dynamic, alive, pure "movement". Starting with an analysis of the sociocultural context of sophistry - in which are presented and discussed the main issues surrounding the thinkers who are related in this movement - is followed by detailed discussion of both texts, with the assumption of reading for understanding the Treaty in the gorgian Meontology founding the "moment" of discourse in Western thought, and praise the omnipotence of the logos that puts the cultural reality in which human nature is "movement" for the tragedy of our existence is softened. / A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo central arrazoar sobre o conceito de Discursividade em Górgias de Leontino tomando como base duas de suas principais obras a nós acessíveis, o Tratado sobre o não-ser ou sobre a natureza e Elogio de Helena. Pretende-se demonstrar que o logos tem em Górgias um papel de inteiro destaque, sendo este um tema constante, do “momento” no pensamento gorgiano, podendo este ser compreendido como o fio condutor da obra do Leontinense. Não obstante o reconhecimento do “momento” do discurso em Górgias, demonstra-se também na presente pesquisa que esse é absolutamente dinâmico, vivo, puro “movimento”. Partindo de uma análise do contexto sociocultural formador da sofística – na qual são apresentadas e discutidas as principais questões que envolvem os pensadores que são relacionados neste movimento – segue-se para a discussão pormenorizada de ambos os textos, tendo como pressuposto de leitura para compreensão do Tratado a meontologia gorgiana que funda o “momento” do discurso no pensamento ocidental, e do Elogio a onipotência do logos que põe a realidade cultural na qual a natureza humana está posta em “movimento” para que a tragicidade de nossa existência seja suavizada.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo central arrazoar sobre o conceito de Discursividade em GÃrgias de Leontino tomando como base duas de suas principais obras a nÃs acessÃveis, o Tratado sobre o nÃo-ser ou sobre a natureza e Elogio de Helena. Pretende-se demonstrar que o logos tem em GÃrgias um papel de inteiro destaque, sendo este um tema constante, do âmomentoâ no pensamento gorgiano, podendo este ser compreendido como o fio condutor da obra do Leontinense. NÃo obstante o reconhecimento do âmomentoâ do discurso em GÃrgias, demonstra-se tambÃm na presente pesquisa que esse à absolutamente dinÃmico, vivo, puro âmovimentoâ. Partindo de uma anÃlise do contexto sociocultural formador da sofÃstica â na qual sÃo apresentadas e discutidas as principais questÃes que envolvem os pensadores que sÃo relacionados neste movimento â segue-se para a discussÃo pormenorizada de ambos os textos, tendo como pressuposto de leitura para compreensÃo do Tratado a meontologia gorgiana que funda o âmomentoâ do discurso no pensamento ocidental, e do Elogio a onipotÃncia do logos que pÃe a realidade cultural na qual a natureza humana està posta em âmovimentoâ para que a tragicidade de nossa existÃncia seja suavizada. / The aim of this research is central reason on the concept of discursiveness in Gorgias of Leontino based two of his main works in the accessible, The Treaty on the Non-being or About The Nature and Praise of Helena. Intend to demonstrate that the Logos has in Georgias a role of full mention, and this is a constant theme of "moment" in gorgian thought, which may be understood as the wire of the work of the leontineese. Despite the recognition of "moment" of the speech in Gorgias, it shows that also in this research that this is absolutely dynamic, alive, pure "movement". Starting with an analysis of the sociocultural context of sophistry - in which are presented and discussed the main issues surrounding the thinkers who are related in this movement - is followed by detailed discussion of both texts, with the assumption of reading for understanding the Treaty in the gorgian Meontology founding the "moment" of discourse in Western thought, and praise the omnipotence of the logos that puts the cultural reality in which human nature is "movement" for the tragedy of our existence is softened.

Thesis advisor: Marina McCoy / If Plato’s dialogues offer recollection as a paradigm for human knowing, then, forgetfulness as the opposite of recollection, would seem to be ignorance, or the destruction of knowing. However, forgetfulness is not simply recollection’s opposite, but it also serves as its precondition; to recollect something, one must first forget it. Forgetfulness involves an absence that may re-present itself. This dual nature of forgetfulness as, on the one hand, a precondition for philosophical recollection and, on the other, characteristic of ignorance and destruction of knowledge, mirrors the experience of perplexity (ἀπορία), which can serve either as the impetus for philosophical inquiry or as the ground to foreclose any further questioning. My dissertation considers the implications of forgetting, foresight, and oversight, in Plato's Protagoras as a new way to shed light on the relationship and difference between the sophist and philosopher. I propose that both philosophy and Protagorean sophistry understand something about the nature and limits of human understanding in light of our tendency to forget. Protagorean sophistry, however, attempts to overcome human limits in its aim at perfect foresight. Protagoras ultimately capitulates to ἀπορία by refusing to inquire earnestly, thereby avoiding the problem posed by our tendency to forget. Socratic philosophy, on the other hand, cultivates and maintains ἀπορία in its recognition that forgetting is a limitation that is at once intrinsic to human understanding and the necessary occasion for learning that underlies all philosophical inquiry. Socratic foresight, in opposition to Protagorean foresight, is characterized by its recognition that ἀπορία and oversight are persistent and unavoidable conditions of all human inquiry. Rather than attempt to overcome human nature either by capitulating to or resolving ἀπορία in a definitive answer, Socratic philosophy is depicted as an aporetic way of living, which thus remains open to what is yet to be known. In this way, Socratic foresight comes to light as superior to that of Protagorean sophistry both in its self-knowledge and in its implicit affirmation of what would otherwise seem to be a mere weakness in human nature. Socratic foresight welcomes ἀπορία as the condition for all human inquiry and achievement. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2023. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Philosophy.

Thesis advisor: John Sallis / This dissertation looks at the way that educational systems affect the legal and political realms. The context in this dissertation is the ancient Greek practice of sophistry and its effect on the nascent Athenian democracy. A sophistical education in persuasive speaking could only be afforded by the wealthy, and Athenians would send their sons to a sophist in order to learn how to be persuasive in the Assembly and influence the decision of the democratic body in their favor. My inquiry surrounds whether or not that inequality in education serves to undermine democracy or if it in fact strengthens the Athenian state – on the one hand, there exists an inequality based on wealth, but on the other hand, education in virtue (what the sophists claim to teach, it remains to be seen whether or not they succeed in delivering an education in virtue) cannot be a detriment to the polis. I conclude that while a sophistical education is premised on wealth inequality, and as such cannot serve the polis properly, there does exist a way to improve the polis by means of virtue that does not rely on wealth inequality: Socratic education. Socrates fully embodies the democratic value of equality and the virtuous improvement of the Athenians in his 1) commitment to beginning in ignorance rather than an assumed knowledge of the truth, 2) his refusal to flatter his conversation partners which can serve to disguise the truth, and 3) his adherence to dialectic in which two (or more) interlocutors converse as equals, with the aim of uncovering the truth together. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2022. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Philosophy.

This dissertation translates an essay by Mario Untersteiner "Le origini sociali della sofistica" ("The Social Origins of Sophistry") unpublished in English, and explores its significance in terms of classical and contemporary rhetorical theory, as well as the composition classroom. In the process, I attempt to contribute to reestablishing sophistry and rhetoric within our contemporary cultural milieu. More specifically, the dissertation is organized into five main parts: The first chapter offers an introduction to and thorough background of the sophists in ancient and classical Greece; the second chapter reviews the scholarship about the sophists, as well as that on Mario Untersteiner and his "Le origini," exploring the commonly known difficulties of translation. Chapter three provides my translation of the complete essay, while chapter four presents my interpretation of the most salient issues in the essay and their importance to classical rhetorical theory. The concluding chapter presents my conclusions and relates my findings to the composition classroom, the university, and society at large, arguing for the reintegration of certain sophistical rhetorical theories and practices.

[pt] O presente trabalho tem por objetivo promover uma discussão baseada em diferentes abordagens do pensamento de Górgias, tentando compreendê-lo a partir da seguinte divisão: no primeiro capítulo, analisamos os principais elementos atribuídos à retórica de Górgias por Platão, através da análise do diálogo Górgias. No segundo capítulo, fazemos uma análise teórica de seus principais textos: Elogio de Helena, Tratado do Não Ente e a Defesa de Palamedes, com base numa leitura que neles reconhece uma unidade de pensamento. Lançamos mão, em seguida, de uma importante análise da tradição retórica, dando ênfase aos principais aspectos referentes à criação e ao desenvolvimento da Retórica na Grécia dos séculos V e IV ac. Em suma, retiramos das três principais abordagens apresentadas e analisadas ao longo do trabalho as questões que nos permitem identificar o pensamento de Górgias, e atribuir à sua atividade o nome de retórica, embora numa concepção alargada desse conceito. / [en] The aim of this work is to promote a discussion based on differents approaches to Gorgias’s thought, trying to understand it through the following divisions: in the first chapter, we analyze the most important elements attributed to Gorgias’s rhetoric by Plato, through the analysis of Plato’s Gorgias. In the second chapter we undertake a theoretical analysis of his most important texts - Encomium to Helen, On Not Being and Palamedes - based on a reading that recognizes a unity of thought in them. After that, we make use of an important analysis of a rhetoric tradition, emphasizing the principal aspects regarding the creation and the development of rhetoric in Greece in the Vth and IVth centuries BC. In summary, we have taken, from the three main approaches showed and analyzed during this work, the questions that allow us to identify Gorgias’s thought, and to attribute to his activity the name of rhetoric, although in an enlarged conception of this concept.

[pt] A presente tese pretende analisar o modo como a educação filosófica era identificada, pensada e discutida na Atenas do século IV a.C., especificamente em sua interseção com a retórica. Para isso, optamos por utilizar os textos e o pensamento de Isócrates como principal referência, destacando neles os movimentos existentes de identificação da filosofia e de sua educação. Um dos objetivos centrais desta tese é destacar a importância de Isócrates nesse processo de formação da filosofia grega, ressaltando o grande valor dos textos desse autor na análise arqueológica da educação filosófica. A partir desse tema, chegaremos a uma discussão sobre o papel do filósofo na formação dos cidadãos, tema que se tornou bastante frequente nas universidades brasileiras nas últimas décadas após a obrigação legal que inseriu a disciplina filosofia na Educação Básica em todo o país. Acreditamos que analisar esse período embrionário da filosofia, no qual ela foi pensada como um instrumento imprescindível para a formação cívica dos cidadãos, pode estimular reflexões e inquietações acerca do papel dado ao pensamento filosófico na formação dos jovens atualmente, mesmo que sejam outros os valores propostos e o contexto cultural em questão. / [en] This thesis aims to analyze how the philosophical education was identified, considered and discussed in IV century BC Athens, specifically at its intersection with the rhetoric. For this, we chose to use the texts and the thought of Isocrates as the main reference, highlighting the flows identification of philosophy and their education. A central objective of this thesis is to underline the importance of Isocrates in this formation process of Greek philosophy, emphasizing the great value of the texts of this author in the archaeological analysis of philosophical education. From this issue, we will come to a discussion of the philosopher s role in the education of citizens, an issue that has become quite common in Brazilian universities in recent decades after the legal obligation that entered the philosophy discipline in basic education throughout the country. We believe that analyzing this embryonic period of philosophy, in which it was conceived as an essential tool for civic education of citizens, can stimulate reflections and concerns about the role given to philosophical thought in the formation of young people today, even if the values and cultural context in question are others.

Dans le "Protagoras" et le "Théétète", Platon affronte la pensée de Protagoras, d'abord sur le plan de la politique et de la morale, ensuite sur celui de la science et de la connaissance. Le sophiste le confronte à un ensemble de questions tournant autour du relativisme épistémologique et de la possibilité d'enseigner la vertu. Dans les deux dialogues, il soumet Platon à un ensemble de difficultés parallèles du moins pour une lecture attentive au grand discours dans le "Protagoras" et à l'apologie dans le "Théétète" qui se répercutent dans d'autres dialogues. La première partie de cette thèse s'emploie à explorer l'importance que Platon attribue à la notion de mesure chez Protagoras et la manière dont celle-ci rejaillit à travers les dialogues ("Politique", "Philèbe", "Lois") pour s'ériger en concept de la philosophie platonicienne. La seconde partie, axée sur la figure du sophiste expert et professeur, s'attache à étudier la manière dont Protagoras, par son attachement au semblable et au dissemblable, contraint Platon à une entreprise de clarification des concepts structurants de la pensée, afin de rétablir une vérité contre le principe de l'expertise et de la contradiction.

Neste estudo, meu objetivo é investigar a influência da idéia de kairós na philosophía de Isócrates. Defendo que, a partir da noção de kairós, considerada tanto como oportunidade quanto como a particularidade de uma circunstância, Isócrates propõe uma philosophía que valoriza as opiniões (dóxai) em detrimento de um conhecimento seguro (epistḗmē), inalcançável para a natureza humana. Por fim, busco traçar relações entre a philosophía isocrática e questões da historiografia contemporânea, assim como refletir sobre a posição de Isócrates dentro da nossa tradição filosófica. / In this study I aim to research the influence of the idea of kairós in Isocrates’ philosophía. I argue that, considering the notion of kairós both as an opportunity and particularity of a circumstance, Isocrates proposes a philosophía that values the opinions (dóxai) instead of a secure knowledge (epistḗmē), unreachable to human nature. Finally, I seek to elaborate relations between the isocratic philosophía and issues of contemporary historiography, as well as meditate about Isocrates’ setting within our philosophical tradition.