DrTruthiness Posted July 13, 2014 Posted July 13, 2014 Can sophists be a force for good in nudging un-thinking masses to embrace philosophy? Or is it doomed as the Dark Side, anti-reason arch nemesis of philosophy? (If anyone can reference any videos where Stef may have touched on this issue, I will personally donate $20.00 to FDR on the spot). If I may, I'll define sophism in this post in the context of using logically fallicious arguments to cajole, flatter, indimidate, or empasion people to adopt action. I know it can be other things, but for the purposes of this question, these methods of persuasion, advocacy, and teaching are what I'm concerned with. I just listened to Stef's video/podcast entitled "Disappointment with the World", specifically around 10:45 where he addresses that the world is anti-philosophical. I'm wondering if someone like a Barack Obama could have used that gift of speech for achieving great good. Or if appeasement without principle is doomed to be the fertilizer for corruption and permanent intellectual darkness.
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