Allgemeine Zeitschrift für Philosophie: Primat des Praktischen. Zur Aktualität der griechischen Sophistik Heft 44.2/2019

• Vorwort der Herausgeber Open Access

• Helmut Heit: Protagoras und der Relativismus als epistemische Tugend
  

  Abstract

  This paper argues that Protagoras’ concept of education, unlike the Platonic ideal of complete transmission of cognitive knowledge, is not oriented towards the paradigm of axiomatic geometry, but seeks to develop virtue and judgment through processes of consideration, insight, imitation, and practice. Accordingly, his epistemology combines consciousness of moderate relativity with a preference for proliferation of theories, without giving up the claim to gradually better logoi. Protagoras’ position can thus be understood and defended against the reservations of Plato to Boghossian as a systematically attractive and virtuous epistemic attitude.
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• Karen Piepenbrink: »Sophistische« versus »demokratieaffine« rhetorische Strategien? Überlegungen am Beispiel Antiphons von Rhamnus aus althistorischer Perspektive
  
  Abstract

  The phenomenon of »sophistic« rhetoric has been intensively discussed in philosophical as well as philological research. The present paper approaches the topic from an ancient historian’s perspective. It asks how we can identify »sophistic« rhetorical strategies in real public speeches and compares possible indications of such approaches with those rhetorical strategies which, from a contemporary point of view, were definitely »democracy-affine«. Thus, it is not about the attitudes of philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, but about the widespread public perception in classical Athens. As an example of sophistic-labeled rhetoric this paper examines the forensic speeches of Antiphon of Rhamnus. It concludes that such a differentiation of rhetorical strategies, as it is insinuated by those contemporaries, is inadequate. Antiphons’ arguments correspond to the democratic common sense to a considerable extent. Divergences from the latter are only partly due to the reception of »sophistic« philosophical items and correspond only partly to the widespread critique of the sophists.
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• Lars Leeten: Antilogik und Dialektik. Entwicklungslinien vorplatonischer Bildungskultur
  
  Abstract

  The article examines a close link between Socratic dialectic and the sophistic discourse practice known as »antilogic«. First, traditional assumptions are rejected, in particular the prejudice that antilogic is a kind of eristic that is indifferent to truth, solely aiming at blindsiding the opponent. In order to develop an alternative perspective, antilogic is contextualized within the discursive climate of its time. In this way, antilogic can be interpreted as an educational practice attempting to determine the »right logos« by generating contradictions. In conclusion, continuities between antilogic and dialectic become visible that shed light on their differences too.
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• Morten Thaning / Johan Gersel: Pseudoerzieherische Diskurspraxis. Platons Verständnis der Sophistik
  
  Abstract

  This article aims to reconstruct the normative distinction between sophistry and dialectics developed in Plato’s treatment of sophistry. We begin by describing Plato’s notion of sophistry as a knack of persuasion that succeeds by masquerading itself as truth-oriented and by providing gratification for its listeners. We then argue that the stringency of Plato’s arguments becomes clear by using his definition of sophistry as a guideline for the interpretation of the dialogues Protagoras and Gorgias. Together, these dialogues provide a well-structured argument that questions the usefulness of sophistic practice, despite its effectiveness in attaining power within the Athenian democratic institutions. Plato’s fundamental critique of sophistry differs from certain misleading prejudices against sophistry, also found in Plato’s writings and challenged by historical research. The critique is therefore of lasting relevance not only to the understanding of Plato’s philosophical agenda but also to the interpretation of »the sophists«. We end by suggesting that Plato’s normative distinction between sophistry and dialectics is also of relevance for our contemporary conception of democratic discursive culture and its legitimacy.
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• Thomas Schirren: Isokrates und die Rechtfertigung des rhetorischen Lebens
  
  Abstract

  In his Antidosis Isocrates defends his »school for orators« against the criticism of sophistic greed for money by presenting paradigmatic arguments that aim to prove the usefulness of the school for the common good. He thereby distances himself firmly from the moral discourse of the Platonic Academy. The exemplary practice of his school creates a symbolic form, which of course has influenced Plato in his Apology of Socrates. Isocrates places this form right in the middle of the polis.
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Essay:

• Christine Abbt: Selbsttreue und Veränderung. Goethes Maxime über Polypragmosyne und das gute Leben Buy article

Buchbesprechungen:

• Lea Watzinger: Kritische Sichtbarkeit – Transparenz als opakes Konzept zwischen Selbst und Gesellschaft
• Michael G. Festl: Sapere Aude – pragmatistisch und gehaltvoll