Plato's Gorgias translated by W. C. Helmbold

The Library of Liberal Arts presents Gorgias by Plato translated, with an Introduction by W. C. Helmbold "Gorgias" by Plato is a philosophical dialogue written in the 4th century BC. The text features discussions on rhetoric, ethics, and the nature of power, primarily through the characters Socrates and Gorgias, a celebrated sophist. The dialogue critically examines the persuasive techniques of sophists and contrasts them with a search for genuine knowledge and virtue. The opening of "Gorgias" introduces the historical context of Greek philosophy, highlighting the transition from mythological understanding to rational inquiry. Plato sets the stage with a preface that discusses the role of sophists like Gorgias, who, with their rhetoric, shaped public discourse in Athens. At the start, Gorgias is portrayed as a master orator, with Socrates questioning his ideas on the nature of justice and the ethical implications of rhetoric. This establishes a framework for exploring the relationship between persuasion and truth, suggesting that mere eloquence can be dangerous if detached from moral substance. Philosophy Philosophical Ancient Greek Roman Greece Rome Civilization BKNK