How did the Sophists focus Greek philosophy more on human beings and society?

The Sophists shifted the focus of Greek philosophy from the study of the external, physical world to the study of human beings and society by rejecting the speculative, often contradictory, theories of their predecessors. While earlier philosophers sought objective truths about nature, the Sophists argued that such inquiries were disconnected from human experience.12

They emphasized the role of the observer, asserting that reality is understood through human perception and subjective experience. This shift is best captured by Protagoras’s famous dictum, "Man is the measure of all things," which suggests that the world is defined by how it appears to the individual.1342

Consequently, the Sophists focused their attention on:
* Human Society and History: They viewed history as a progression from savagery to civilization, driven by human arts, crafts, and the development of justice.5
* Ethics and Convention: They explored the tension between nature and social custom, often questioning traditional moral codes and religious beliefs.352
* Education and Virtue: They claimed that aretē (virtue or excellence) could be taught through systematic instruction, arguing that success in life and government was a result of controllable procedures rather than birth or chance.5