A philosophical discussion on the nature of rhetoric, justice, and happiness according to Socrates in Plato's Gorgias.
Extract
[...] 63-64: Socrates explains that rhetoric is pointless and that when it comes to accomplishing concrete actions, it is better to rely on other disciplines that are based on true methods and real objects. Gorgias explains that rhetoric allows one to convince sometimes wrongly but that we must blame those who use it badly and not those who teach it. Until 459c (p. 74) Socrates explains to Gorgias that rhetoric is useless since it only serves to convince the ignorant, the crowd until 461b (p. 79) 3 - Discussion with Polos. Until 481b Socrates explains that rhetoric is not an art but a skill. Until 462d (p. [...]
[...] Socrates thus demonstrates the superiority of philosophy over rhetoric in that it alone is capable of guiding towards the good. Just as medicine guides towards the health of the body, philosophy guides towards the health of the mind. Until 481b (p. 137) Key Text : 464b-465and(p.87 to Socrates speaks of the arts that care for the body and the mind as medicine and gymnastics and explains that rhetoric is only a skill, like cooking. 4 - Discussion with Callicles (481b-506c) Callicles develops his point of view (end p. [...]
[...] 234: Socrates explains that a man who deserves to be admired is a man in whose presence other men have improved themselves. The politicians who criticize the people are similar to the rhetoric masters who accuse their disciples of misusing the knowledge that has been transmitted to them. (Until p. 248) Socrates explains that he is not afraid of death because he is sure of speaking the truth and even if life costs him dearly, he will not go to Hell like those whose principles are bad. (Until p. 263) Socrates places justice and virtue above all. [...]
[...] Just as the disciplines worthy of the name are capable of accounting for their means, so it is with music or philosophy, medicine, and not with rhetoric. Socrates despises the latter. 5 - The concluding speech of Socrates According to Socrates, injustice is also bad for the one who suffers it as much as for the one who commits it Socrates thinks that one cannot be fully happy when committing evil, even if we had nothing to fear from acting badly because we would be all-powerful (tyrant). (Until p. 225) A good life is a life that obeys rules that want the happiness of all. [...]
[...] 82) Socrates compares rhetoric to cooking. Until 463d (p. 85) Rhetoric is a counterfeit of a part of politics according to Socrates. Until 464b (p. 87) Rhetoric is also deceptive as medicine is for the body in relation to health or as aesthetics is in relation to the maintenance of the body, which is truly favored by the gymnastics trainer. Until 466b (p. 92) Socrates explains that it is not because orators or tyrants can do what they want that they are happy. [...]
