What does social gadfly mean?
Definitions for social gadfly
so·cial gad·f·ly
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word social gadfly.
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Wikipedia
social gadfly
A gadfly is a person who interferes with the status quo of a society or community by posing novel, potentially upsetting questions, usually directed at authorities. The term is originally associated with the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates in his defense when on trial for his life.
Wikidata
Social gadfly
A gadfly is a person who upsets the status quo by posing upsetting or novel questions, or just being an irritant. The term "gadfly" was used by Plato in the Apology to describe Socrates' relationship of uncomfortable goad to the Athenian political scene, which he compared to a slow and dimwitted horse. During his defense when on trial for his life, Socrates, according to Plato's writings, pointed out that dissent, like the gadfly, was easy to swat, but the cost to society of silencing individuals 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." This may have been one of the earliest descriptions of gadfly ethics. In modern politics, a gadfly is someone who persistently challenges people in positions of power, the status quo or a popular position. For example, Morris Kline wrote "There is a function for the gadfly who poses questions that many specialists would like to overlook. Polemics are healthy." The word may be uttered in a pejorative sense, while at the same time be accepted as a description of honourable work or civic duty.
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of social gadfly in Chaldean Numerology is: 2
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of social gadfly in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6
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"social gadfly." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Jun 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/social+gadfly>.
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