Gorgias

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Plato, 428? BCE-348? BCE

Contributor:

Jowett, Benjamin, 1817-1893

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Gorgias" by Plato is a philosophical dialogue written in the late 5th century BC. This work explores complex themes such as the nature of rhetoric, the distinction between true knowledge and mere opinion, and the moral implications of justice and injustice. Central to the dialogue are prominent characters, including Socrates, Gorgias, a renowned rhetorician; Polus, his impetuous disciple; and Callicles, who embodies worldly ambition and a belief in might over right. The opening of "Gorgias" sets the stage for a deep philosophical debate between Socrates and his interlocutors about the essence and purpose of rhetoric. Socrates aims to dissect Gorgias' claims about rhetoric as an art, questioning its legitimacy and contrasting it with true knowledge. Through a series of probing questions, Socrates challenges Gorgias' ability to define his own art coherently and later extends the debate to Polus and Callicles, revealing the limitations of their perspectives. The stage is set for a philosophical battleground where issues of morality, power, and the nature of the good life will unfold, emphasizing Socrates' relentless pursuit of truth and virtue over mere persuasive skill. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Sue Asscher

Notes:

Reading ease score: 71.9 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Socrates

Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgias_(dialogue)

Release date is 1999-03-01