Gorgias

by Plato

Ancient GreekPhilosophy
59,290 words1 chapter~238 min read
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Plato's dialogue examines the nature of rhetoric and justice through Socrates' debates with the sophist Gorgias and his students. This foundational work of ancient Greek philosophy questions whether persuasive speech serves truth or merely power, exploring themes that remain relevant to modern discourse and ethics.

Opening lines

CALLICLES: The wise man, as the proverb says, is late for a fray, but not for a feast. CALLICLES: Yes, and a delightful feast; for Gorgias has just been exhibiting to us many fine things. SOCRATES: It is not my fault, Callicles; our friend Chaerephon is to blame; for he would keep us loitering in the Agora.
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About Plato

Ancient Greece's most influential philosopher, this student of Socrates founded the Academy in Athens around 387 BCE and taught Aristotle. Through dialogues like "The Republic," he explored justice, truth, and ideal government, introducing concepts like the Theory of Forms that shaped Western thought for over two millennia. All works by Plato

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