A gadfly is a person who interferes with the status quo of a society or community by posing novel, potentially upsetting questions, usually directed at authorities. The term is originally associated with the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates in his defense when on trial for his life.
The term "gadfly" (Greek: μύωψ[1], mýops[2]) was used by Plato in the Apology[3] to describe Socrates' acting as an uncomfortable goad to the Athenian political scene, like a spur or biting fly arousing a sluggish horse.
During his defense when on trial for his life, Socrates, according to Plato's writings, pointed out that dissent, like the gadfly, was easy to swat, but the cost to society of silencing individuals who were irritating could be very high: "If you kill a man like me, you will injure yourselves more than you will injure me" because his role was that of a gadfly, "to sting people and whip them into a fury, all in the service of truth."[citation needed]
Modern politics
In modern politics, a gadfly is someone who persistently challenges people in positions of power, the status quo or a popular position.[4] For example, Morris Kline wrote, "There is a function for the gadfly who poses questions that many specialists would like to overlook. Polemics is healthy."[5] The word may be uttered in a pejorative sense or be accepted as a description of honourable work or civic duty.[citation needed]
Contemporary philosophy
The Australian moral philosopher Peter Singer has expressed views which have led him to be described as a "modern gadfly".[6]
See also
Concern troll – a false flag pseudonym created by a user whose actual point of view is opposed to the one that the troll claims to hold
Devil's advocate – taking a position one does not necessarily agree with
^Warburton, Nigel (25 October 2011). "40. A Modern Gadfly". A Little History of Philosophy. Yale University Press. pp. 239–245. doi:10.12987/9780300177541-040. ISBN978-0-300-17754-1. S2CID 246088288.
External links
The dictionary definition of gadfly at Wiktionary
January 07, 2023
gadfly, philosophy, social, science, other, uses, gadfly, disambiguation, gadfly, person, interferes, with, status, society, community, posing, novel, potentially, upsetting, questions, usually, directed, authorities, term, originally, associated, with, ancien. For other uses see Gadfly disambiguation A gadfly is a person who interferes with the status quo of a society or community by posing novel potentially upsetting questions usually directed at authorities The term is originally associated with the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates in his defense when on trial for his life Contents 1 History 1 1 Socrates 1 2 Modern politics 1 3 Contemporary philosophy 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksHistory EditSocrates Edit The term gadfly Greek mywps 1 myops 2 was used by Plato in the Apology 3 to describe Socrates acting as an uncomfortable goad to the Athenian political scene like a spur or biting fly arousing a sluggish horse During his defense when on trial for his life Socrates according to Plato s writings pointed out that dissent like the gadfly was easy to swat but the cost to society of silencing individuals who were irritating could be very high If you kill a man like me you will injure yourselves more than you will injure me because his role was that of a gadfly to sting people and whip them into a fury all in the service of truth citation needed Modern politics Edit In modern politics a gadfly is someone who persistently challenges people in positions of power the status quo or a popular position 4 For example Morris Kline wrote There is a function for the gadfly who poses questions that many specialists would like to overlook Polemics is healthy 5 The word may be uttered in a pejorative sense or be accepted as a description of honourable work or civic duty citation needed Contemporary philosophy Edit The Australian moral philosopher Peter Singer has expressed views which have led him to be described as a modern gadfly 6 See also EditConcern troll a false flag pseudonym created by a user whose actual point of view is opposed to the one that the troll claims to hold Devil s advocate taking a position one does not necessarily agree with Gadfly mythology The Gadfly novelReferences Edit See Gadfly or Spur The Meaning of MYWPS in Plato s Apology of Socrates See commentary for book 3 line 277 out of George W Mooney s Commentary on Apollonius Argonautica Apology 30e Liberto Jennifer 8 August 2007 Publix uses law to boot gadfly St Petersburg Times Retrieved 22 June 2008 Why the Professor Can t Teach 1977 page 238 Warburton Nigel 25 October 2011 40 A Modern Gadfly A Little History of Philosophy Yale University Press pp 239 245 doi 10 12987 9780300177541 040 ISBN 978 0 300 17754 1 S2CID 246088288 External links Edit The dictionary definition of gadfly at Wiktionary Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gadfly philosophy and social science amp oldid 1131260080, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
