Plato and Rhetoric427-346 BC (81yrs.).pptVIP

Plato and Rhetoric427-346 BC (81yrs.) Life son of wealthy influential Athenian parents began his philosophical career as a student of Socrates when Socrates died, Plato traveled to Egypt and Italy, studied with students of Pythagoras, and spent several years advising the ruling family of Syracuse. Eventually, returned to Athens established his own school of philosophy at the Academy. Plato For students, Plato tried to pass on the heritage of a Socratic style of thinking The written dialogues on which his enduring reputation rests also serve both of these aims. Primary Focus: Attack Sophists Plato on Rhetoric Three works on Rhetoric: The Apology (we’re not reading) The Gorgias--attack on Sophistic practice of rhetoric The Phaedrus--development of a true rhetoric The Gorgias (385 BC) An early work Major ideas implied or stated Dialectic nature of truth “remembered” in dialogue among experts Rhetoric is pre-selected communication in order to defend opinions The GorgiasAttacking Rhetoric Three rounds of speeches First round: Gorgias and Socrates Rhetoric’s nature and uses Definition--is rhetoric a true art? Second round: Polus and Socrates Rhetoric is just a knack for creating persuasive speeches that lack foundation in justice/truth Third round: Challicles and Socrates Pursuit of power without knowledge of justice perpetuates injustice The GorgiasContinued Topics What is the nature of rhetoric? Does rhetoric by its very nature tend to mislead? What happens to a society when persuasion is a basis for law and justice? Theme The basis of justice Doxa (mere public opinion) vs Episteme (true knowledge) Socrates/Plato GorgiasRound One Socrates/Plato: What is the art or techne (knowledge) rhetoric offers? (a question) Gorgias: Rhetoric is concerned with words, persuasive words. Socrates/Plato: Not a definition, because all disciplines use persuasion. Episteme (true knowledge) vs pistis (mere opinion). Socrates/Plato GorgiasRound One  Continued Jus