Protagoras: Moral Conventionalist, Legal Positivist?

Summary

In this evening seminar, we will explore the ethical and legal theories of Protagoras of Abdera (approx. 490-420 BC) through a careful reading of his so-called "Great Speech" in the Platonic dialogue that bears his name. In the Great Speech, Protagoras aims to defend the claim that virtue is teachable. To do so, he first offers a mythical account of the creation of human beings and the origin of human society, and then explicitly switches from 'myth to argument' (from mythos to logos) to discuss why, if virtue is teachable, virtuous parents do not always have virtuous children. 

In our reading of Protagoras' speech, we will first try to answer two questions: Is Plato's Protagoras a moral conventionalist — that is, does he believe ethical rules are social creations? And is Protagoras a legal positivist — that is, does he believe laws derive their normative force solely from social conventions? If we determine Protagoras is in fact a moral conventionalist and legal positivist, as scholars have sometimes thought, we will then need to confront a third question : how does Protagoras think mere social conventions can come to occupy such an authoritative role in our lives?

Our investigation is of twofold historical importance, both for understanding Protagoras and for appreciating how Plato tries throughout his philosophical career to respond to Protagorean conventionalism — but it is also of interest for contemporary ethics and philosophy of law, insofar as Protagoras may be the first representative of moral conventionalism and legal positivism in the Western tradition.

Dinner will be provided to all attendees.

About the speaker

Thomas Slabon is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of South Florida. He specializes in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy. His work spans ancient value theory, metaphysics, and philosophy of science.