Plato

A detailed Summary of Plato

Socrates is obsessed with the idea of justice, especially as it pertains to knowledge. In the Gorgias, justice is discussed as it pertains to oratory as well as what constitutes greater injustice, committing or suffering, and punishment and justice. In the first argument, Socrates engages Gorgias in a discussion of justice and teaching right and wrong when teaching oratory. Because a good orator should be able to convince people who do not know something that he does and he is right, the potentiality for injustice is great. At the conclusion of the entire dialogue Socrates finds oratory to be a deplorable occupation because it does not, "...practice justice and the rest of excellence both in life and in death." (113)

Gorgias' disclaimer on justice in oratory triggers the debate. He points out what Socrates needs to prove that oratory is basically useless in society. In some circumstances Gorgias might compel one because he states that morality for morality's sake is the backbone of justice in oratory. He argues that the art of oratory is itself just but that the individuals can use it unjustly if they choose. Gorgias also adds that just because of a few individuals w

Socrates prevails because he is far and away more skilled than Gorgias. His skill level is shown through his argument. The questions and the logical flow of things make Socrates' debates almost flawless. Socrates is also victorious because his method is far superior to that of Gorgias. Philosophy was proven here to be more effective and more informative than oratory. This debate was a showdown between sophistry and philosophy and Socrates and philosophy won.

Socrates' method of argument is not only different but also opposed to Gorgias' process. Oratory is made up of well thought out declarative statements. The statements are not subject to scrutiny and analyzed down to the bone but they are tabled when another orator gives his point. Nothing ever gets resolved and ultimately truth is not discovered because statements are not questioned. Philosophy on the other hand is clear and questioned to the end. Nothing is said without engagement from another party. Declarative statements are useless in philosophy because they are so easy to argue against. Discussion allows for ideas to be exchanged and for questions to be asked, answered and then new questions proposed. There is no ultimate answer in philosophy but it allows for the most learning possible because there is no limit on discussion or questions.

Socrates clearly emerges as the victor over Gorgias. Socrates presented reasonable questions and Gorgias crossed himself. Socrates was more cunning because he got Gorgias to feel bad about his thoug

Some common words found in the essay are:
Socrates' Gorgias, Grier Socrates, Gorgias Gorgias, Socrates Gorgias, Gorgias Socrates, Gorgias Philosophy, Callicles Polus, Gorgias October, justice oratory, truth oratory, declarative statements, argument socrates, persuade people, proves socrates, convince people, truth justice,

Approximate Word count = 1027
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Politics