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Gadflies (view source)

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[[Image:lighterstill.jpg]][[Image:Gadfly.jpg|right|frame]]
 
[[Image:lighterstill.jpg]][[Image:Gadfly.jpg|right|frame]]
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'''Gadfly''' is a term for people who upset the [[status quo]] by posing upsetting or novel questions, or just being an irritant.
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The term "gadfly" (Ancient Greek: μυο̃ψ, myops)[1] was used by [[Plato]] in the Apology[2] to describe [[Socrates]]' relationship of uncomfortable goad to the Athenian [[political]] scene, which he compared to a slow and dimwitted horse. The [[Bible]] also references the gadfly in terms of political influence; The [[Book of Jeremiah]] (46:20, Darby Bible) states "Egypt is a very fair heifer; the gad-fly cometh, it cometh from the north." The term has been used to describe many politicians and social commentators.
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During his defense when on trial for his life, [[Socrates]], according to Plato's writings, pointed out that [[dissent]], like the tiny ([[relative]] to the size of a horse) gadfly, was easy to swat, but the cost to [[society]] of silencing [[individual]]s 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]]."
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In modern and local [[politics]], gadfly is a term used to describe someone who persistently challenges people in positions of [[power]], the status quo or a popular position.[3] The [[word]] may be uttered in a pejorative sense, while at the same time be accepted as a description of honorable work or civic duty.[4]
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==Definitions==
 
:[f. [[GAD]] n.1]  
 
:[f. [[GAD]] n.1]  
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:1846 C. G. PROWETT Prometh. Bound 28 The gadfly-haunted maid, whose charms have [[power]] To smite Jove's [[heart]] with love. 1893 D. JORDAN (‘Son of the Marshes’) Forest Tithes, etc. 197 In gadfly time it was a fine [[vision|sight]] to see a herd of cattle charging along.
 
:1846 C. G. PROWETT Prometh. Bound 28 The gadfly-haunted maid, whose charms have [[power]] To smite Jove's [[heart]] with love. 1893 D. JORDAN (‘Son of the Marshes’) Forest Tithes, etc. 197 In gadfly time it was a fine [[vision|sight]] to see a herd of cattle charging along.
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"Gadfly" is a term for people who upset the [[status quo]] by posing upsetting or novel questions, or just being an irritant.
  −
  −
The term "gadfly" (Ancient Greek: μυο̃ψ, myops)[1] was used by [[Plato]] in the Apology[2] to describe [[Socrates]]' relationship of uncomfortable goad to the Athenian [[political]] scene, which he compared to a slow and dimwitted horse. The [[Bible]] also references the gadfly in terms of political influence; The [[Book of Jeremiah]] (46:20, Darby Bible) states "Egypt is a very fair heifer; the gad-fly cometh, it cometh from the north." The term has been used to describe many politicians and social commentators.
  −
  −
During his defense when on trial for his life, [[Socrates]], according to Plato's writings, pointed out that [[dissent]], like the tiny ([[relative]] to the size of a horse) gadfly, was easy to swat, but the cost to [[society]] of silencing [[individual]]s 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]]."
  −
  −
In modern and local [[politics]], gadfly is a term used to describe someone who persistently challenges people in positions of [[power]], the status quo or a popular position.[3] The [[word]] may be uttered in a pejorative sense, while at the same time be accepted as a description of honorable work or civic duty.[4]
      
[[Category: General Reference]]
 
[[Category: General Reference]]
 
[[Category: Philosophy]]
 
[[Category: Philosophy]]
Retrieved from "http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/28952"

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