Protagoras, Orthopéia, and the Measure of All Things

A Buddhist Perspective -

TheGentleLaw Community

Let’s talk about Protagoras, the ancient Greek thinker whose ideas on language, perception, and knowledge resonate in intriguing ways with Buddhist thought. We will unpack three key concepts associated with him: orthopéia (ὀρθοπεία), the notion that "man is the measure of all things," and his stance on agnosticism and skepticism. We will also explore how these ideas intersect with Buddhist teachings, particularly sammā vācā (Pāli: right speech) and epistemic humility in the Dharma.

1. Orthopéia (ὀρθοπεία) and Right Speech

The term orthopéia comes from the Greek orthos (ὀρθός, "correct, right") and péia (related to speech or articulation). It refers to the idea of proper or correct speech, a concept that echoes sammā vācā (सम्या वाचा in Sanskrit), one of the steps in the Noble Eightfold Path. Just as the Buddha emphasized ethical and mindful speech to cultivate harmony and wisdom, Protagoras also seems to recognize the power of language in shaping reality and guidi…