I have chosen to discuss the Sophists for the upcoming writing assignment. I propose to endorse the Sophists as positive influences on society and history. Although many will argue against this point of view, even the great Plato himself, I will seek to defend these famous teachers. The core of the paper will be bound to this thesis: Many of the negative connotations clinging to the Sophists are based on the Greek’s unfavorable interpretations, whereas in reality, the Sophists positively contributed to society by advocating human growth and fueling democracy. In this paper, I will explore some of the reasons why the Sophists were viewed with contempt, and will discuss why the Sophists suffered uncharitable judgement for their role in society. I will address how the Sophists challenged traditionalists, threatened the aristocrats, held controversial ideologies, and were targets for discontentment. With each of these topics I will refute the negative interpretations and seek to display the positivity that arose from the Sophists’ labors. After touching on some reasons why many ancient Greeks disliked the Sophist, I will lay out some significant ways that the Sophists helped advance the good of “polis”. Among these are the Sophist’s avocation of human growth and democracy, as well as promoting the value of individual merit.

As one can imagine, there will be a lot to expound upon and a limited space in which to do it. However, my goal is to offer a refreshingly concise and accurate approach to the Sophists, displaying the positive repercussions of their vocation.