Man is the measure of all things

2 Commentsby   |  09.06.13  |  Student Posts

With regard to the perspective of Creation, I am thinking of Protagoras and his statement:” Man is the measure of all things-of things that are, that they are, and of things that are not, that they are not.” Generally the saying has the following meanings. First, truth depends on Man. Second, everyone is the measure of things, in other words, we know the world or truth from our own point of view. Since no one is exactly the same, the perception will vary from person to person. From Protagoras, the focus of philosophical inquiry first turned to society and human concerns. We are different from animals. We are possessing wisdom, virtue, and skills. We are the center of the society. The idea of Protagoras reveals an awakening of self-consciousness as Man. Man is the measure of “knowledge”-the content, property or state of things. Man is also the measure of values-whether morals are good or not, laws are right or not, or policies are useful or not, are all determined by Man. These rules are artificially established. Man is restrained by rules, but at the same time is also the rule maker. Only Man can make judgment. Moreover, everyone has the right to express his or her opinions and participate in democracy. As far as I am concerned, although the theory of “Man is the measure of all things” has fatal flaws, it emphasizes the role and value of Man. It encourages the variety of human values and may also indicate the pursuit of individual freedom.

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2 Comments

  1. Jessica Weeden
    11:01 pm, 09.06.13

    This is very interesting. Protagoras’ statement “man is the measure of all things” has a lot packed into it. Your suggestion that it points out how the truth is subjective from person to person makes sense given his claim. I have to agree with you though, the claim has flaws as it emphasizes the role and value of man…perhaps it denies in effect denies the variety of human values because it encourages the pursuit of individual freedom. If it is individual freedom, what is it to you that anyone else has developed their own values? Do we recognize that there are a variety (other’s have developed their values) or is it to be discarded because we can only know what we have developed?

    The more I think about it, the more Protagoras’ thinking sounds very selfish and lonely. Thanks for posting your thoughts!

  2. Denysha Taylor
    7:27 am, 09.10.13

    You paint Protagoras in a very interesting light. The way you describe his perspective sounds like a credit to man that may not have always been freely given in his culture and I’m glad you made a note of that. All of your points about his perspective are very empowering to the credit of man. How much credit should be given to man as opposed to the supernatural is still debatable, I personally believe. I believe that it may be the combination of occurrences throughout life. That it may be more of a constant ebb and flow of action and reaction. Giving any credit to man, however, does indicate a sense of importance in existence, so I certainly agree that Protagoras fits into the realm of Creation.

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