Euthydemus is a dialogue by Plato, written in the late 4th century BC, that satirically examines knowledge, virtue, and the nature of sophistry. The work opens with Socrates recounting his encounter with the sophist brothers Euthydemus and Dionysodorus. Renowned for their rhetorical wit, the brothers often employ arguments that create confusion and contradiction. Socrates, seeking guidance for the young Cleinias, tests their supposed ability to teach virtue. Yet their paradoxical and playful questioning exposes the emptiness of sophistry, underscoring Socrates’ pursuit of genuine wisdom and virtue.
