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Why The Sophist?
The term sophist generally does not have a positive meaning in our modern vocabulary. We tend to associate it with twisted language, ambiguity, even out-and-out deceit. Those who have been involved with the rise of e-learning over the past several years may immediately see the irony in applying it to a publication focused on this new medium of learning. The irony is intended. But we also hope to revive some of the historic meaning of the word.
The original Sophists emerged as a group of traveling teachers around the fifth century B.C. in Greece. At the core of their philosophy was skepticism, which meant being able to understand and articulate both sides of a question. Most Sophists also taught the concept of arete, or excellence, in the management of personal affairs. This had previously been thought to be a genetic trait--something only aristocrats were born with--and one necessary for qualifying for the highest station in Athenian life, politics. The Sophists, and particularly their founder Protagoras, taught that arete comes from proper education and not from one's genetic heritage.
All of this, we think, jibes quite well with our own notions of the power of education and the Internet. The Internet is the enabler for a new breed of traveling teachers, it is a powerful tool for disseminating knowledge and enabling us to understand all sides of a question, and we believe it can help cultivate excellence in individuals and organizations. Of course, we also believe that healthy skepticism is in order. So, as we embark on our journey into the world of online learning for nonprofits, our admonition to both ourselves and our readers is to always look for both sides of the question at hand and never stop asking, "Why?"
The Editors
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