Critical Analysis Of Gorgias And Socrates

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In Gorgias, Plato attempts to outline the ways one can live a good life. He begins this by examining oratory. He dispels the presented notions that the life of an orator is more just and good than other professions, such as the life of a philosopher. Plato progressively raises questions that connect oratory to actions that are shameful and undesirable. Oratory came to be defined as a means of attaining one’s personal ambitions. This definition leaves it open to the possibility of pursuing shameful and evil outcomes. Plato condemns the orators (Gorgias, Polus, and Callicles) of always producing long, polished speeches that are used as a medium for persuasion. He contrasts this to Socrates’ request to have forthright discussions, where both parties attempt to seek the truth. This comparison outlines the conflicting differences in values and methods. Deliberations between Socrates and Gorgias decide that oratory enables its experts to rule over others because it equips him with the skill to persuade. The two then agree that there are two …show more content…

The men come to describe the orator-politician as a person who engages in one of the practices that aim at producing pleasure without any regard to what is good. This is a statement previously set up in the deliberation between Socrates and Polus. Socrates just now connects the orator lifestyle to the life indifferent to producing what is truly good. Socrates compares the philosopher’s life to that of a craftsman. A craftsman considers the good of the craft’s focus. This consideration makes this good in terms of organization and order. Craftsmen whose work is good will be organized and orderly; those whose work is disorganized will be poor quality. This is also true for the soul. Persons whose souls are thus made good will be happy; those whose souls are unjust and undisciplined will be

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