ABSTRACT
The term 'sophist' was used to designate a diverse number of people in ancient Greece. The Sophists represent a changed emphasis in philosophy, a turning from speculation on the material makeup, structure, and origin of the world to a study of humanity and society. Ethics, law and customs, the origin of religions, and language were now the focus of philosophy. The Sophists' teaching of virtue usually encompassed the elements of a liberal education: mathematics, astronomy, and grammar. Study of grammar included interpretation of the poets. Their teaching also emphasized rhetoric, the effective use of speech in political and personal affairs. Four of the early Sophists are generally acknowledged to be among the leaders of Sophism, they are Protagoras, Prodicus of Julis, Gorgias of Leontini, and Hippias of Elis. The Sophists who based their views on the concept of laws of nature did not all argue for social equality.
