It's obvious that Plato views relativism with intense displeasure. I think the Protagoras dialogue illustrates a different dislike of Sophism, though- the idea that the Sophists are essentially ripping off their clients. Protagoras defends the idea that we all have a communal interest in political discussion, which is a hallmark of democracy. Protagoras simply teaches his students in the art of statemanship. Plato, speaking through Socrates, intends to argue that, as philosophy doesn't involve the creation of any single good, teaching statecraft isn't like teaching medicine or carpentry.
I'm generally apathetic to religion, but I realize the mention of Prometheus is important in that it connects progress and intellect with the idea of an education in statecraft. That forms a pillar of our liberal democracy, and Socrates challenges the foundation of the building we stand in. Protagoras also makes an excellent point to Socrates' frequent argument about why sons fail fathers in character so often. The essential aspect of civic virtue is constantly enforced and reinforced in the state, thus the effects of a virtuous parent are minimized. Interestingly enough, Plato ends up integrating the community of virtues into his own later Republic through the communal parentage set-up.
As for the other big debate about the nature of virtue, I'm fine with tentatively accepting Socrates' argument that wisdom is one, rather than the different elements forming portions of the whole. You wouldn't call a cowardly person, who is otherwise stellar, a wise or virtuous person. Missing a single element is the same as missing the mark entirely. That would lend an argument of support toward a non-Protagorean system of education which prioritizes the acquisition of knowledge (Protagoras didn't teach math, the arts, etc.) rather than simply teaching "virtuousness". If you're out to teach virtue, and this virtue requires knowledge, but you're not delivering that knowledge, then you're not teaching virtue-- or anything, for that matter. As stated previously, Socrates' criticism of the Sophists is that they rip off their students.
I'm generally apathetic to religion, but I realize the mention of Prometheus is important in that it connects progress and intellect with the idea of an education in statecraft. That forms a pillar of our liberal democracy, and Socrates challenges the foundation of the building we stand in. Protagoras also makes an excellent point to Socrates' frequent argument about why sons fail fathers in character so often. The essential aspect of civic virtue is constantly enforced and reinforced in the state, thus the effects of a virtuous parent are minimized. Interestingly enough, Plato ends up integrating the community of virtues into his own later Republic through the communal parentage set-up.
As for the other big debate about the nature of virtue, I'm fine with tentatively accepting Socrates' argument that wisdom is one, rather than the different elements forming portions of the whole. You wouldn't call a cowardly person, who is otherwise stellar, a wise or virtuous person. Missing a single element is the same as missing the mark entirely. That would lend an argument of support toward a non-Protagorean system of education which prioritizes the acquisition of knowledge (Protagoras didn't teach math, the arts, etc.) rather than simply teaching "virtuousness". If you're out to teach virtue, and this virtue requires knowledge, but you're not delivering that knowledge, then you're not teaching virtue-- or anything, for that matter. As stated previously, Socrates' criticism of the Sophists is that they rip off their students.