One’s image of a successful life differs from person to person as beliefs can differentiate in a society where so many factors can influence the thinking of a person. Sophistry and Socratic methods both have a common goal of human affairs in regards to what it means to live a “good life” or have a “good character”. Yet, different approaches of questioning, and teaching used by the Sophists and Socrates have the common idea of using rhetoric, the principle and practice of persuasive teaching, to achieve what one thinks is success in their mind. The idea of “verbally pulling the wool over someone’s eyes” (chapter 3, pg. 44) is what sophists based their teachings around. The word sophists comes from the Greek word “Sophos”, which means wisdom. …show more content…
In return, which differentiates the teachings of wisdom through sophistry from Socrates, the Sophists teachings were available to those who were willing to pay for the teachings. This is shown in a conversation between Socrates and Hippocrates. Hippocrates is informed that the Protagoras was in town and wanted to receive their teachings of wisdom, but because he is younger and not known to the sophists, he goes to Socrates for support in being introduced by wisdom. In the dialect, Protagoras 310a-e, Hippocrates says, “by heavens, he has, Socrates. He is the only man who is wise, but he doesn’t make me wise too.” In response, Socrates says, “Oh yes, we will… If you give him money and use a little persuasion, he’ll make you wise as well.” Socrates then uses his methods of question to understand more Hippocrates intentions of being taught which led him to believe that he didn’t know what he was getting himself into, yet, they still went to Protagoras which led Socrates to question what the