| Author |
Plato, 428? BCE-348? BCE |
| Translator |
Jowett, Benjamin, 1817-1893 |
| Title |
Gorgias
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 71.9 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
|
| Note |
Socrates
|
| Note |
Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgias_(dialogue)
|
| Credits |
Sue Asscher
|
| 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.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
B: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion
|
| LoC Class |
PA: Language and Literatures: Classical Languages and Literature
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| Subject |
Classical literature
|
| Subject |
Political science -- Early works to 1800
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| Subject |
Ethics -- Early works to 1800
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
1672 |
| Release Date |
Mar 1, 1999 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Apr 27, 2022 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
1913 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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