Dialogues · Chapter
Sophist explained
The Eleatic Stranger and Theaetetus engage in a dialectical inquiry to define the sophist, distinguishing him from the philosopher and statesman through a series of divisions and examinations of being and non-being.
What happens
The Eleatic Stranger and Theaetetus engage in a dialectical inquiry to define the sophist, distinguishing him from the philosopher and statesman through a series of divisions and examinations of being and non-being.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
In this excerpt, the dramatic climax occurs when Erasistratus’s boastful praise of the Syracusan envoy’s immen…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Knowledge and Ignorance
The dialogue explores the sophist's pretense to wisdom versus the philosopher's genuine pursuit of truth.
- Law, Custom, and Legislation
The sophist's role in shaping opinion and convention is contrasted with the philosopher's concern for objective reality.
Characters to notice
- Athenian Stranger
Leads the dialogue as the Eleatic Stranger, guiding the inquiry into the nature of the sophist.
- Theaetetus
Responds to the Stranger's questions, assisting in the dialectical process of defining the sophist.
- Theodorus
Present as a companion, though not actively participating in the main discussion.
Key passages
“The Sophist”
The dialogue titled 'Sophist' is a philosophical investigation into the nature and definition of a sophist.
Opening of the chapter setting the stage for the inquiry.
