The Story of Corax The Story of Corax and Tisiasand Tisias

By Yaniv GellerBy Yaniv Geller

Geller, YanivGeller, YanivSpeech 104Speech 104

Marteney Marteney

This is Corax, This is Corax,

This is Corax, This is Corax, he was known as the “father” of persuasion. he was known as the “father” of persuasion.

Corax made his living debating in courtrooms, and was Corax made his living debating in courtrooms, and was considered a master of forensic debate. considered a master of forensic debate.

Corax, was at the top Corax, was at the top of his game and of his game and decided to retire decided to retire rather than risk rather than risk anything more.anything more.

Corax, was at the top Corax, was at the top of his game and of his game and decided to retire decided to retire rather than risk rather than risk anything more.anything more.

The risk was that when you sued someone you The risk was that when you sued someone you had to bring money or property, of equal value had to bring money or property, of equal value to what you were suing for. to what you were suing for.

But, before retiring, Corax decided to take on an But, before retiring, Corax decided to take on an apprentice, Tisias and teach him this art form.apprentice, Tisias and teach him this art form.

But, before retiring, Corax decided to take on an But, before retiring, Corax decided to take on an apprentice, Tisias and teach him this art form.apprentice, Tisias and teach him this art form.

Their agreement said that after Corax taught Their agreement said that after Corax taught Tisias, Tisias would compensate Corax monetarily. Tisias, Tisias would compensate Corax monetarily.

Corax taught Tisias with all of his knowledge.Corax taught Tisias with all of his knowledge.After completing his teachings, Corax asked for After completing his teachings, Corax asked for

the agreed compensation the agreed compensation

But,But,Tisias “REFUSED”.Tisias “REFUSED”.

Corax taught Tisias with all of his knowledge.Corax taught Tisias with all of his knowledge.After completing his teachings, Corax asked for After completing his teachings, Corax asked for

the agreed compensation the agreed compensation

Doing the only thing Corax could do, was bring suit Doing the only thing Corax could do, was bring suit against him. against him. Corax explained to Corax explained to the court:the court:

Doing the only thing Corax could do, was bring suit Doing the only thing Corax could do, was bring suit against him. against him. Corax explained to Corax explained to the court:the court:

““Tisias has clearly Tisias has clearly violated our contract violated our contract and I should be and I should be awarded judgment.”awarded judgment.”

Tisias, in his turn Tisias, in his turn explainedexplained

Tisias, in his turn Tisias, in his turn explainedexplained

““What Corax said is correct.What Corax said is correct.However, this if the court However, this if the court

should rule in favor of Corax, should rule in favor of Corax, that means that Corax had that means that Corax had

failed to teach me the Art of failed to teach me the Art of Forensic Debate”Forensic Debate”

Tisias, in his turn Tisias, in his turn explainedexplained

““Thus, I owe Corax nothing.”Thus, I owe Corax nothing.”

Tisias, in his turn Tisias, in his turn explainedexplained

““But, on the other hand, But, on the other hand, the court ruled in my the court ruled in my

favor, Corax would owe favor, Corax would owe me money since he me money since he

brought the suit to the brought the suit to the court.”court.”

And that’s how Sophistry was Born!!And that’s how Sophistry was Born!!

Tisias had created a “heads I win, tails you lose” Tisias had created a “heads I win, tails you lose” dilemma dilemma

And that’s how Sophistry was Born!!And that’s how Sophistry was Born!!

Sophistry

Tisias had created a “heads I win, tails you lose” Tisias had created a “heads I win, tails you lose” dilemma dilemma

And that’s how Sophistry was Born!!And that’s how Sophistry was Born!!

Sophistry

Tisias had created a “heads I win, tails you lose” Tisias had created a “heads I win, tails you lose” dilemma dilemma

Here!!Here!!

Sophists, Sophists, were paid teachers who taught young were paid teachers who taught young men by lecture. men by lecture. A question still remains whether A question still remains whether the Sophists taught their pupils that truth was the Sophists taught their pupils that truth was unimportant compared with success in an unimportant compared with success in an argument. argument.