What major philosophical difference set Socrates apart from the Sophists?

Socrates distinguished himself from the Sophists primarily through his emphasis on ethics and the pursuit of truth. While Sophists were known for teaching rhetoric and relativism, often charging for their instruction and promoting the idea that truth could be subjective and dependent on one’s perspective, Socrates sought to uncover absolute truths and moral principles. He engaged in dialogues aimed at understanding ethical concepts and forms of virtue, demonstrating that there could be a deeper understanding of right and wrong beyond the opinions of individuals.

This approach to philosophy also involved a method of questioning that encouraged critical thinking and self-examination, which became a hallmark of his teaching style. Socrates believed in the existence of an objective truth and was more focused on ethical implications rather than merely persuading others or explaining the natural world, which set him apart from the relativistic views of the Sophists.