Plato's Protagoras Myth Overview

Study Notes

The Protagoras Myth

The myth in Plato's Protagoras is a foundational narrative explaining the origin of human virtue and the role of the gods in its development.
It's presented by Protagoras, a renowned Sophist, to illustrate his ethical and pedagogical approach.
The myth posits a shared divine origin for humanity, differentiating humans from animals through the inherent capacity for learning and reason.
A significant element is the bestowal of a special divine gift, the capacity for art and wisdom (techne), by the gods Prometheus and Epimetheus.
Human beings initially lack the necessary tools and skills for survival and flourishing.
This emphasizes the requirement for human cooperation and the necessity of learning from others, thus highlighting the role of education in cultivating virtue.
The myth presents a strong argument for the societal context of human development, implying that virtue is not an innate quality but rather a product of social and cultural interaction.
Protagoras argues humans are inherently suited for cooperation and that it is through communal interactions that individual virtues like justice and temperance manifest and develop.
The myth stresses the importance of nomos (law and custom), as opposed to physis (nature), in shaping human character and ethical conduct. This contrasts with a purely biologically determined approach to ethics.
The myth depicts the god's role as initiators of the human condition, not as arbiters of morality or agents of retribution.
The myth culminates with the argument that all humans inherently possess the potentiality for virtue and that their potential is primarily developed through social interactions and societal structures.
The myth has been interpreted by scholars as a complex allegory highlighting the social construction of values and the importance of human agency.

Key Elements of the Myth

The gods, represented by figures like Prometheus and Epimetheus, play a central role in the origin of humanity, yet they are not seen as direct moral guides.
The myth introduces a sharp division between humans and animals, emphasizing human unique capacity for reason and learning.
Human's lack of natural defenses or instincts is a key theme highlighting their dependence on social structures.
The theme of art and wisdom (techne) is central to the myth as a fundamental tool for human survival and prosperity.
The myth provides a powerful framework for understanding ethical and pedagogical principles and underpins Protagoras's belief that humans can learn virtue through education and practice.

Implications for Protagoras's Philosophy

The myth serves as a springboard for Protagoras' ethical views, suggesting that virtue is teachable and attainable through human effort.
It underscores the importance of societal education and norms (nomos) in shaping humane conduct.
The narrative supports Protagoras' relativistic perspective on morality, suggesting that morality is not inherent but culturally constructed.
It also showcases Protagoras's pragmatism. The emphasis on human interdependence is directly related to the importance of societal structures in shaping ethical behavior and individual well-being.
The myth is a significant argument in establishing the critical role of education in promoting and cultivating virtue.
It aligns with the ideas of early Greek democratic ideals with its focus on human potential and shared ability to learn and improve collectively.

Description

Explore the foundational narrative of human virtue in Plato's Protagoras. This quiz delves into the myth's themes, including the roles of the gods, the capacity for learning, and the importance of education in developing virtue. Understand how this narrative illustrates the societal context of human development.