by Manuel Marino | Philosophy
In a nutshell, Joe Hunt, co-founder of the infamous Billionaire Boys Club, was attributed with the phrase “Lie when it’s to your benefit,” which was quickly coined as The Paradox Philosophy. While the pundit who coined it may not have personally conversed with all the members of the Billionaire Boys Club, I have.
It is highly improbable to believe that a single individual could come up with the so-called Paradox Philosophy and find themselves serving multiple life sentences in a level 4 maximum protection prison chapel. Only the truly powerful and intellectually inclined could conceive such an idea. Some have even managed to convince the entire world that they are total nincompoops, which is a part of what the Paradox Philosophy is about.
The stakes would have to be immense, and those employing the Philosophy would need to be bold and fearless enough to impose the ideology despite its contradictions and inherent danger to humanity as a whole.
Only a President of the United States of America and his close constituents could pull this off without ending up in prison.
Consider that the following wars were deeply influenced and guided by The Paradox Philosophy: The war on
… ...Read the rest.
“The Paradox Philosophy”
by Manuel Marino | Philosophy
Coming from a small colony in Syracuse, Gorgias of Leontini, a Greek Sophist philosopher, lived from approximately 485 to 375 B.C.E. Contrary to common belief, scholars assert that he lived to be over 100 years old. Many even designate Gorgias as the “Father of Sophistry.”
Gorgias arrived in Athens during the last quarter of the fifth century B.C.E. as a political envoy from Syracuse. Similar to Protagoras, he also took on students to instruct them in the art of rhetoric for political and legal purposes. Protagoras and Gorgias are often regarded as the first Sophist philosophers.
According to historical sources, Gorgias studied under Empedocles. He authored four works: “On Non-Existence,” “The Defense of Palamedes,” “The Encomium on Helen,” and “The Epitaphios.” However, only two works, “Encomium on Helen” and “Defense of Palamedes,” have survived in their entirety, while “On Non-Existence” exists only in fragments or summaries.
Gorgias stood out significantly in his renowned milieu due to his advocacy of a metaphysical and epistemological system of radical skepticism. In fact, many contemporary scholars classify his philosophy as nihilistic.
Through his Sophistic rhetoric, Gorgias argued that nothing truly exists. I will summarize his argument, as presented in his work “On Non-Existence,” in … ...Read the rest.
“The Skeptic Sophist: Gorgias of Leontini”
by Manuel Marino | Philosophy
Traveling extensively throughout Greece during his lifetime, Protagoras was born in Abdera, Thrace around 490 B.C.E. and passed away around 420 B.C.E. It is widely believed that Protagoras spent a significant amount of time in Athens during his travels, but as a Sophist, he likely journeyed throughout Greece to engage with unique students.
Before delving into Protagoras, it is important to note a few cautions. We have limited sources available, and his historical context greatly influences the interpretation of his work.
Limited Sources
Similar to many other Pre-Socratic philosophers, there are few remaining sources on Protagoras. Our main sources come from Plato, Diogenes Laertius, and Sextus Empiricus. However, the latter two historians lived several centuries after Protagoras’ death, raising questions about the reliability of their sources. On the other hand, we heavily rely on Diogenes for accounts of the Pre-Socratics.
Sophism and Its Historical Context
In the 5th century B.C.E., the term “Sophists” referred to individuals who were renowned for their wisdom or those who professionally taught students.
The “Older” Sophists, including Protagoras, Prodicus, Gorgias, Euthydemus, Thrasymachus, and Hippias, were characterized by their epistemological and moral relativism, theological agnosticism, and persuasive rhetoric. We can learn much about these philosophers from … ...Read the rest.
“The First Sophist and Grammarian: Protagoras of Abdera”
Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, 
Recent Comments