 THE GREEK EDUCATIONAL THINKERS

(THE SOPHIST)

 THE GREEK EDUCATIONAL THEORIST

 THE EDUCATIONAL INFLUENCE OF

JESUS CHRIST

Submitted by: RIZA M. IGNACIO

Submitted to: DR. JOSEFINA TORRES

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 THE GREEK EDUCATIONAL THINKERS
(THE SOPHIST)

The Sophists (Ancient Greek)

The sophists were itinerant professional teachers and intellectuals who frequented
Athens and other Greek cities in the second half of the fifth century B.C. In return for a fee, the
sophists offered young wealthy Greek men an education in aretē (virtue or excellence), thereby
attaining wealth and fame while also arousing significant antipathy.
The term sophist (sophistēs) derives from the Greek words for wisdom (sophia) and wise
(sophos).

THE SOPHISTS
1. Protagoras of Abdera
2. Gorgias of Leontini
3. Antiphon of Rhamnus
4. Hippias of Elis
5. Prodicus of Ceos
6. Thrasymachus

Protagoras of Abdera (c.485-415 BCE)- is considered the greatest of

the Sophists of ancient Greece and the first to promote
the philosophy of Subjectivism, arguing that interpretation of reality
is relative to the individual.
Protagoras is best known for his claim that, "Of all things the measure
is Man, of the things that are, that they are, and of the things that are
not, that they are not" or, in other words, that everything is relative
to individual experience, judgement, and interpretation. This thought
is often phrased as "man is the measure of all things" or "everything
is relative".

Gorgias of Leontini (c.485 - c.390 B.C.E.)- is generally considered as

a member of the sophistic movement, despite his disavowal of the
capacity to teach aretē (Meno, 96c). The major focus of Gorgias was
rhetoric and given the importance of persuasive speaking to the
sophistic education, and his acceptance of fees, it is appropriate to
consider him alongside other famous sophists for present purposes.

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 Antiphon of Rhamnus -was a statesman who took up rhetoric as a
profession. He was active in political affairs in Athens, and, as a
zealous supporter of the oligarchical party, was largely responsible
for the establishment of the Four Hundred in 411 ; upon restoration
of the democracy shortly afterwards, he was accused of treason and
condemned to death.
Antiphon may be regarded as the founder of political oratory, but
he never addressed the people himself except on the occasion of
his trial. Fragments of his speech then, delivered in defense of his policy (called Περὶ
μεταστάσεως) have been edited by J. Nicole (1907) from an Egyptian papyrus.
Hippias Of Elis, (flourished 5th century BC, Elis, in the Peloponnese,
Greece), Sophist philosopher who contributed significantly to
mathematics by discovering the quadratrix, a special curve he may
have used to trisect an angle.
A man of great versatility, with an assurance characteristic of the
later Sophists, Hippias lectured on poetry, grammar, history, politics,
archaeology, mathematics, and astronomy. His vast literary output
included elegies and tragedies besides technical treatises in prose. He is credited with an
excellent work on Homer, collections of Greek and foreign literature, and archaeological
treatises; but nothing remains except a few fragments.
Prodicus of Ceos (465 BC – c. 395 BC) was a Greek philosopher, and
part of the first generation of Sophists. He came to Athens as
ambassador from Ceos, and became known as a speaker and a
teacher. He was a Sophist in the full sense of a professional freelance
educator.As he taught both philosophy and politics.Plato treats him
with greater respect than the other sophists, and in several of the
Platonic dialogues Socrates appears as the friend of Prodicus.

Thrasymachus (c. 459 – c. 400 BC) was well-known rhetorician in

Athens in the latter part of the fifth century B.C.E., but our only
surviving record of his views is contained in Plato’s Cleitophon and
Book One of The Republic.

THE GREEK EDUCATIONAL THEORIST

 SOCRATES
 PLATO
 ARISTOTLE

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 Socrates, born in Athens in 470 BC, is often credited as
one of the founders of Western philosophy and as
being the first moral philosopher of the Western
ethical tradition of thought.
The cloud of mystery surrounding his life and
philosophical viewpoints propose a problem; a
problem so large that it’s given a name itself: The
Socratic Problem.
Since he did not write philosophical texts, all
knowledge related to him is entirely dependent on the writings of other people of the
time period. Works by Plato, Xenophon, Aristotle, and Aristophanes contain all of the
knowledge known about this enigmatic figure.
His largest contribution to philosophy is the Socratic Method. The Socratic Method is
defined as a form of inquiry and discussion between individuals, based on asking and
answering questions to illuminate ideas. This method is performed by asking question
after question with the purpose of seeking to expose contradictions in one’s thoughts,
guiding him/her to arrive at a solid, tenable conclusion. The principle underlying the
Socratic Method is that humans learn through the use of reasoning and logic; ultimately
finding holes in their own theories and then patching them up.
Plato, student of Socrates. He’s known for being the founder
of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher
learning in the Western world.
One of Plato’s contributions to philosophy is the Theory of
Forms. This theory was created to solve two problems, one
of ethics and one of permanence and change.
The ethical problem is: how can humans live a fulfilling life in
an ever changing world if everything that they hold close to
them can be easily taken away?
The problem dealing with permanence and change is: How can the world appear to be
both permanent and changing? The world we perceive through senses seems to be always
changing–which is a pretty clear observation. The world that we perceive through the
mind, seems to be permanent and unchanging. Which world perceived is more real? Why
are we seen two different worlds?
To find a solution to these problems, Plato split the world into two: the material, or
physical, realm and the transcendent, or mental, realm of forms. We have access to the
realm of forms through the mind, allowing us access to an unchanging world. This
particular world is invulnerable to the pains and changes of the material world. By
detaching our souls from the material world and our bodies and developing our ability to
concern ourselves with the forms, Plato believes this will lead to us finding a value which
is not open to change. This solves the ethical problem. Splitting existence up into two
realms also leads us to a solution to the problem of permanence and change. Our mind
perceives a different world, with different objects, than our senses do. It is the material
world, perceived through the senses, that is changing. It is the realm of forms, perceived
through the mind that is permanent.

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 Aristotle, student of Plato, lived from 384 BC-322 BC. the
founder of the Lyceum and the Peripatetic school of philosophy
and Aristotelian tradition. Along with his teacher Plato, he has
been called the "Father of Western Philosophy". His writings
cover many subjects – including physics, biology, zoology,
metaphysics, logic, ethics, aesthetics, poetry, theatre, music,
rhetoric, psychology, linguistics, economics, politics and
government.
In his understanding of the world, he wrote his theory of the
universals. The problem of the universals is the question of whether properties exist, and
if so, what exactly are they. To avoid confusion, a universal is a metaphysical term
describing what particular things have in common, focusing strictly characteristics or
qualities.
His theory states that universals exist only where they are instantiated (the concept that
it is impossible for a property to exist which is not had by some object). In simpler terms,
he believes universals exist only in things, never apart from things–differing from his
teacher, Plato, on this. Aristotle believes that a universal is identical in each of its
instances. All round things are similar in that there is the same universal, characteristic,
throughout.

THE EDUCATIONAL INFLUENCE OF JESUS CHRIST

(Christian Education)
1. The Development of a Biblical World View is the Goal of Christian Education
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and perfect and
acceptable.” Romans 12:2
The Bible is the primary source for all learning. It provides, through principles of truth, the
foundation from which the learner can reason to every subject and area of life. The fear
of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs) The Bible does not provide the
necessary fact base required to gain knowledge of most subjects. However, knowledge of
Biblical principles is absolutely essential to develop understanding and wisdom –the high
orders of learning and application—in any given subject.
2. Christian Character Development is Primary in the Education Process
“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings
about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope…”
Romans 5:3-4
Education works from the internal to the external. First, the heart of man must be
regenerated then his mind must be renewed, and finally, he will “walk in a manner worthy
of his calling.” Christ opens the doorway into the Kingdom of God for the individual. The
sanctification process that ensues occurs in the character realm first and foremost, and is
a lifelong progression. Lasting external change and growth comes only by way of internal
character growth.
3. Academic Excellence is an Expression of Worship of Almighty God
“Great are the works of the Lord; they are studied by all who delight in them.” Psalm
111:2
As the foundation in Christian character is being laid, the academic capacity of the student
is addressed and developed. Each child is an expression of God’s Principle of Individuality.
He is seen as an individual created in God’s image, unique and possessing certain gifts and

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 qualities that set him apart from all others. As his strengths and weaknesses are
identified, the education process both affirms and stretches him, calling him up to
excellence in every area of life so that he may effectively exert Christian influence in his
life spheres.
4. Christian Education Requires a Christian Philosophy, Curriculum, and Methodology
Education is comprised of three basic components: philosophy, curriculum, and
methodology. Likewise, each and every subject that is studied has a unique philosophy
(presuppositional truths), curriculum (content) and methodology (application).
Philosophy gives rise to both the curriculum and the methods used in studying (teaching
and learning). It is the relationship of these three components that provide both the
means and the ends for mastering a given subject or topic.
5. Educational Objectives Address the Whole Child (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:11-16)
A. Spiritually, in that the child is provided instruction, opportunity, and modeling in:
o loving God,
o loving his neighbor
o developing a prayer life
o rightly dividing the Word of God
o reasoning from the principles of God’s Word to all of life
o owning and articulating a biblical Christian world view
o embracing the Great Commission
o walking in purity of thought and action
o identifying with a local church
B. Academically, in that the child is provided instruction, opportunity, and modeling so as
to:
o be equipped with a well rounded, liberal arts education
o attain excellence in scholarship in the various subject areas
o think critically, from cause to effect
o study effectively
o be fit for usefulness in his future station, whether at college or in a vocation
o be able to articulate thoughts and persuade others
o understand world cultures
o exhibit technological savvy
C. Socially, in that each child is provided instruction, opportunity and modeling so as to
promote:
o The Fruit of the Spirit
o Modesty
o Diplomacy in dealing with others
o Civility and good manners
o A giving heart

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o Respectfulness, compassion, and helpfulness toward others
o Honoring of father and mother and others in authority
o The biblical standard of heterosexuality; the biblical injunction against homosexuality
o The biblical view that marriage is between one man and one woman and is sacred
o Global awareness in view of the world
o Sensitivity to cultural and ethnic diversity
o Active support of the school as an alumnus
o Patriotism and good citizenship.
D. Physically, in that each child is provided instruction, opportunities and modeling so as
to:
o Maintain a healthy and fit body
o Treat his body as the temple of the Holy Spirit
o Be well groomed and modest in presentation
o Disciplined in healthy life-habits
o Remain sexually pure according to biblical standards
In summary, Christian education has the unique capacity to assist parents in their God-
given mandate to “raise their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
(Ephesians 6:4) This education takes place in the context of a biblical philosophy and a
Christ-centered curriculum by loving and mature Christian teachers who minister to the
whole child using Christ-honoring and effective methods.

REFERENCES:
https://www.iep.utm.edu/sophists/
http://www.sophia-project.org/uploads/1/3/9/5/13955288/stace_sophists.pdf
https://www.dayspringchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Philosphy-
Statement-08-28-08.pdf

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