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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A four page paper which looks at the dialogue between Callicles and Socrates in Gorgias, the different perceptions of Self which the two characters put forward, and the emphasis which Callicles places on social reputation in contrast to Socrates' support of philosophical wisdom as being superior. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: JL5_JLgorg.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
it is a tool which, like any tool, is neutral in itself: it can be used for either good or evil purposes. However, Gorgias is forced to concede that an
effective orator must be able to understand the difference between what is genuinely just and what only appears to be so. Since the aim of politics is to achieve a
just society and rhetoric is directly linked to politics, then the effective rhetorician must understand the nature of justice. Polus then intervenes and asserts that rhetoric is the way to
power, rather than justice. However he is then obliged to admit that rhetoric which portrays the unjust as just reflects badly on both speaker and audience: it is morally better
to suffer than to condone injustice.
Callicles, one of the chief Athenian citizens, considers this viewpoint to be ridiculous, and asserts that Socrates is talking nonsense. He argues instead that social equality is something which is
forced on people and effectively makes the stronger individuals conform to the same standards as the weak: however, if the person is sufficiently strong in themselves they will be able
to shake off these social controls and become the master rather than the slave. This, he argues, is the true justice of nature: laws on the other hand are written
by human beings and do not have the same power as natures justice. Callicles is of the opinion that Socrates concern with avoiding injustice makes him one of the weak,
and open to attack from others. His description of Socrates being wrongly accused and dragged away for trial does, indeed, foreshadow what actually happens to him. Callicles sees such a
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