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Plato's Reaction Paper - 2 - 23 - 2023

This document is a reaction paper about Plato's dialogue Gorgias. It summarizes the key debate in the dialogue between Socrates and characters like Gorgias and Polus about the nature of rhetoric. Socrates argues that rhetoric should only be used to discover truth through philosophical inquiry, while Gorgias and Polus believe rhetoric is a tool for persuasion regardless of the validity of arguments. The paper also discusses larger themes in the dialogue around the relationship between rhetoric and morality, the nature of justice, and the role of individuals in society. It emphasizes that understanding Plato's philosophical concepts, arguments, and their historical context is necessary to determine the "truth" of the work.

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Rex Bryann Zambra
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108 views3 pages

Plato's Reaction Paper - 2 - 23 - 2023

This document is a reaction paper about Plato's dialogue Gorgias. It summarizes the key debate in the dialogue between Socrates and characters like Gorgias and Polus about the nature of rhetoric. Socrates argues that rhetoric should only be used to discover truth through philosophical inquiry, while Gorgias and Polus believe rhetoric is a tool for persuasion regardless of the validity of arguments. The paper also discusses larger themes in the dialogue around the relationship between rhetoric and morality, the nature of justice, and the role of individuals in society. It emphasizes that understanding Plato's philosophical concepts, arguments, and their historical context is necessary to determine the "truth" of the work.

Uploaded by

Rex Bryann Zambra
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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JMJ Marist Brothers

NOTRE DAME OF MARBEL UNIVERSITY


College of Arts and Sciences
Alunan Ave., City of Koronadal, South Cotabato 9506

Rex Bryann C. Zambra PHSC 104 Seminar on Plato/Aristotle


AB-PHILO 4
Plato’s Gorgias
A Reaction Paper

In Plato's Gorgias, a philosophical dialogue, Socrates debates the nature of

rhetoric, justice, and morality with a variety of characters. Because Plato frequently

employs the dialogue format to present multiple perspectives and leave the reader's

interpretation of the text up to them, the truth in the Gorgias is not always

straightforward or simple to determine. Consider Socrates' and the other characters'

arguments and evaluate them based on their logical consistency, coherence, and

persuasiveness as one approach to determining the Gorgias' truth. Socrates, for

instance, argues that true wisdom and knowledge can only be obtained through

philosophical inquiry and that improper use of rhetoric can result in harm and injustice.

These arguments can be evaluated based on whether they are supported by evidence

or reasoning and whether they are logically sound.

Consider the dialogue's larger philosophical themes, such as the connection

between rhetoric and morality, the nature of justice, and the role of the individual in

society, when addressing the question of truth in the Gorgias. These themes can be

interpreted in a variety of ways, and different readers may have varying perspectives on

the meaning of the text or the truths it reveals. In the end, understanding the

philosophical concepts and arguments presented in Plato's Gorgias is necessary in


JMJ Marist Brothers
NOTRE DAME OF MARBEL UNIVERSITY
College of Arts and Sciences
Alunan Ave., City of Koronadal, South Cotabato 9506

order to determine the truth of the work. Understanding the cultural and historical

context in which the text was written is also essential because it can shed light on the

author's intentions and the larger philosophical debates of the time.

Socrates talks to Gorgias, a well-known sophist, and Polus, his student, as well

as Protagoras, a philosopher and sophist. The nature of rhetoric and its relationship to

truth are at the heart of the conversation. Rhetoric, according to Gorgias and Polus, is a

potent tool for persuasion regardless of the validity of the arguments. They assert that

rather than arriving at the truth, the purpose of rhetoric is to sway an audience. Rhetoric,

in Socrates' view, is only beneficial if it leads to knowledge and truth, he argues. He

contends that the genuine reason for manner of speaking isn't to convince, however to

help individuals comprehend and seek after the upside. On the other hand, Protagoras

takes a more nuanced approach to rhetoric. He argues that knowledge varies

depending on the person who holds it and that there are no absolute truths. He asserts

that, when used responsibly, rhetoric can influence people's beliefs and opinions and be

a force for good.

As a result, significant questions about the nature of truth, the function of

persuasion in public discourse, and the accountability of those who wield rhetorical

power are raised in the conversation. In the end, the conversation emphasizes the

significance of critical thinking and the pursuit of truth in any intellectual exchange that is

meaningful.
JMJ Marist Brothers
NOTRE DAME OF MARBEL UNIVERSITY
College of Arts and Sciences
Alunan Ave., City of Koronadal, South Cotabato 9506

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