Introduction

In Gorgias, Plato talked about the various issues addressed in rhetoric. Including its association with power, its relationship with the truth, and whether or not it requires knowledge of a subject. The criticism of the Sophists in Gorgias influenced the way people viewed them and rhetoric. Plato talked about the beneficial use of rhetoric. This chapter looks closely his thoughts and views on rhetoric.  Plato was not in favor of democracy due to his concerns about the unpredictable nature of the demos. He was deeply skeptical of the art of rhetoric due to its ability to control audiences. Plato believed those who made their living from persuasive speaking were unlikely to use rhetoric to bring about order in the city. However, he thought a person with proper knowledge of order and justice in the polis could use it.

Plato’s Gorgias: Rhetoric on Trial

In Gorgias, Plato states that rhetoric is a sham art, and he also claims that many authentic arts, such as cooking good food, makes one feel better. According to Plato, the true art of healing is not rhetoric but justice. Plato criticized the Sophists for various reasons, such as their use of exaggerations and taking money.  The sophisticated rhetoricians sought to sway public opinion in their favor, and true justice is founded on the knowledge of the individual and the state. For example mass media, advertising, and political campaigns use persuasion to influence us.  Based on Plato’s suspicion that advanced education was only available to those who could afford it; Plato regarded the training of the Sophists as a threat to the traditional aristocratic system. This conflict of values led to severe tensions in the city.

Debate with Gorgias: Rhetoric’s Nature and Uses

Socrates wants to know, “With what class of objects is rhetoric concerned?” Plato’s view on technē is any discipline or art involving knowledge of a class of objects. A technē can only be used with a theoretical foundation, which is why practitioners of true art must have the necessary skills to explain their theories adequately. To be considered a technē , a practice has to be on learning about objects, explaining how it achieves their goals, and be good for society and the individual it serves. The purpose of a technē is to bring about justice in the community. Most importantly, Plato believed that logos has the potential to transform a practice into a virtuous one. Without distinct logos, an approach is considered a low-level activity.The force of logos, which is immense, transforms an inferior state into a techné, epistéme, or other forms of wisdom. This transformative force is an explanation of rhetoric that justifies the facts. This type of explanation of rhetoric, which is what Socrates seeks from the associates of Gorgias, which was not found.

Gorgias claims that rhetoric can help people attain mastery over others. However, Socrates didn’t believe this, and he thought that the use of persuasive language to achieve personal power is not a true art. Despite Gorgias’ insistence that rhetoric is focused on persuasive words, Socrates believes that the definition of techne is insufficient. All teaching is about persuasion, involving various techniques to get the students to follow their lessons. Gorgias states that the type of persuasion that Socrates uses is commonly used in public gatherings and law courts. He then claims that he may be in the field of art, which Socrates refers to as justice. According to Socrates, there is a distinction between proper knowledge and mere opinion regarding justice. It is claimed that Gorgias only talks about opinions and beliefs about justice and does not deal with the concept of true knowledge. Socrates suggests that rhetoric does not differentiate itself from technē, which also uses words. According to Socrates, authentic arts regularly achieve desirable outcomes.  Among these are the essential nature of rhetoric and how it can be mislead. He also asks what happens when law and justice are only focused on persuasion without a proper understanding of principles. In discussing the dangerous creation of false beliefs about justice, Plato argues that people must not create these views without true knowledge. He also states that society might commit injustices. People must be taught how to use rhetoric to persuade others. According to Socrates, the best way to get the students to follow your lessons is by having a knowledgeable audience.

Socrates versus Polus: Rhetoric as Power

In response to Socrates’ claims about Gorgias’ lack of understanding of justice, Polus furiously criticizes the former. The philosopher has been called “downright rude” by Socrates, who then asks him to argue in defense of rhetoric. Polus was a representative of the many Athenians fascinated by rhetoric. He was also associated with the generation of young men who believed it was a path to wealth and fame. Nobility and power were some of the factors that attracted him to rhetoric. According to Polus, power and speechmaking were related in Athens. They stated that direct public communication was the main focus of any power, authority, or influence the rhetor would seek to exert. Plato was also concerned with how people would use rhetoric to manipulate others. According to Adele Spitzer, Polus was involved with the idea of power.

Plato developed a set of comparisons between sham and true arts during the interaction between Polus and Socrates. When Polus asked Socrates what he thought of rhetoric, the philosopher referred to it as ugly and foul. Plato compares rhetoric to people’s ability to cook fine foods or make folk remedies that can make them feel better. Practitioners of these false arts also lack the necessary theoretical knowledge. In response to Polus’ criticism, Socrates stated that honor and power belong to both the individual and the ruler. Thus, people must use rhetoric to bring their friends and selves to justice.

Socrates versus Callicles: The Strong Survive

In Gorgias, Socrates met with the notorious Sophist Callicles, who advocates for “natural justice,” which aims to dominate the weak in society. Callicles, who disdains Socrates’ ideas about life, redefine morality as a pursuit of desire instead of virtue. He aims to transform the traditional ideals of Athens. According to Socrates, Callicles’ desire for power and pleasure drives his rhetorical approach. Socrates offers a different approach, which is philosophy. Socrates shows his audience how he has adapted his argument to their liking. He constructs arguments in his favor, which promise that things will come to him if he leads a life dedicated to upholding justice. However, Callicles is not convinced. He claims that strong people are often enslaved by the weak. Since he has been practicing unjust rhetoric for so long, Callicles is impossible to convince. Callicles views philosophy as a job for weak men who spend their time with “lisping boys.” As Socrates warned Gorgias and Polus, Callicles displays the dangerous side he warned them about. He thinks he is living a justly righteous life.

The Outcome of the Gorgias

The three main competitors, namely Callicles, Gorgias, and Polus, are not convinced by Socrates’ arguments about philosophy and rhetoric. The debate’s outcome is uncertain, which may imply that Plato was not in favor of reversing unjust lives. Although Socrates is a rhetorician, he cannot convince Callicles to change their mind. Instead, Gorgias suggests that there is a type of rhetoric that focuses on justice.

Since Plato wrote Gorgias, the condemnation of rhetoric has been persistent. The concept of the relationship between truth and rhetoric is discussed. The Sophists believed that rhetoric creates a truth that is useful for the moment and crafted out of people’s opinions.

Although Socrates does not believe in the importance of temporary truths, he does believe that democracy is still capable of providing truthful information. Plato’s argument against rhetoric goes beyond democracy’s various aspects, which seek truth through public opinion and probability.

The relationship between the creator and their audience is another concern of Gorgias. According to Socrates, the notorious Sophist, Callicles would tell their listeners whatever they wanted to hear. He claims that this leads to the rhetor becoming controlled by the audience.For Socrates, truth is not dependent on the audience’s response. Reality can exist independently and making it a matter of persuasion is dangerous. A speaker can easily trick the audience into believing they want to hear what they want.