What does the phrase "man is the measure of all things" suggest?

The phrase "man is the measure of all things" suggests that human perception and understanding are central to defining and interpreting reality. This idea emphasizes the role of individuals in determining what is deemed as true or meaningful based on their experiences, beliefs, and subjective evaluations. It reflects a more relativistic perspective, where knowledge and reality are seen through the lens of human insight rather than being fixed or absolute.

This concept aligns with philosophical discussions in areas such as existentialism and phenomenology, where the focus is placed on human experience and perception as the basis for understanding the world. The assertion implies that there is no inherent measure of truth outside of human experience; instead, each person's perception contributes to what is understood as real or true in a collective sense.

In contrast, the other options imply different philosophical views. For instance, the idea of universal truths suggests an objective reality independent of human perception, while agreement amongst all men on knowledge implies a consensus model of truth that does not account for individual differences in perception. Lastly, positing that only philosophers can know truth suggests an elitist view of knowledge acquisition that disregards the validity of experiential understanding from the broader population.