Sophists in Greek times featured practical knowledge, which include governing and decision making. Sophists were willing to teach anyone who could pay for their services; therefore you had to have been raised in a wealthy family in order to be included. Isocrates was a sophist and opened the first permanent institution of higher liberal arts education. He taught the art of writing essays and how to become a great orator in his school. He focused mainly on the morality issues of topical political issues. Critics of these teachings were lead by Plato. The emphasis taught by Isocrates was contrary to the traditional philosophers, like Plato, who were engaged in seeking the truth. Plato made his skills of governance available to anyone, regardless of birth and wealth. Plato viewed rhetoric as, "Mere flattery and as a vehicle for misleading others", (Golden, p.9). Isocrates and Plato had different views of what rhetoric meant; their views are contrasted throughout the paper.

Isocrates believed that rhetoric was meant to be read rather then delivered. The rhetoric he taught exhibited vocabulary, figures of speech, and many illustrations from history and philosophy. Isocrates th

his contemporary rhetoricians by not believing that any general rule can be applied to rhetoric. Isocrates thought that, "All general principles must fail because they screen out the particulars of a given situation, which must be taken into account in all truly good moral and rhetorical decisions", (www.1cc.gatech.edu/gallery/rhetoric/figures/isocrates.html). Isocrates rejected the belief of those who sought absolute truth, including Plato and the philosophers. Isocrates wanted his students to pursue the conduct that all Greeks acknowledge being good. He believed, "The moral man was one who chose wisely in a given situation. Education in 'the wisdom of choice' was an essential an exercise for the soul", (Golden, p.47).

philosopher to resolve his questions of absolute truth", (www.1cc.gatech.edu/gallery/rhetoric/figures/isocrates.html). Instead, Isocrates believed the philosopher's duty was to educate men of current affairs and to help them learn to make wise decisions in the face of limited knowledge. For Plato, philosophy of rhetoric is grounded in foundational truths; for Isocrates, it is a basis of intellectualism.

There is a sharp contrast between the truth-seeking students of Plato and the practical training in civic leadership offered by Isocrates. Plato denies that any art of speech could exist besides that of philosophy. He believed the speaker must understand the subject on which he speaks and that the mastery of philosophy is a necessary basis for any rhetoric. Isocrates on the other hand, believes that public business is of the greatest signifi

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