Gorgias: The Fine Line Between Good And Evil

Gorgias by Plato focuses on the nature of rhetoric, art, power, and good versus evil. The dialogue begins with Socrates and Charephon. They both want to ask Gorgias some questions and what he thinks about the nature of his art, and what he professes and teaches. Then, Polus comes in and act like he is an expert on everything. But as soon as Chaerephon ask him questions Polus does not give out detailed answers. Then Socrates ask Gorgias and mention Polus that for him rhetoric is an art. Gorgias agrees and professes that he can make other men rhetorician not only at Athens but in all places. The text moves on and talks about power. Gorgias definition of power is all about persuasion and persuade men of what he teaches. The art of persuasion in
The dialogue talks about power and morality. In Socrates perspective rhetoricians and tyrants have the least power. Since they do nothing, but only what they think best. Polus thinks that this is considered to be in great power. What Polus does not understand is that power is only indeed to be good. Yet Polus does not want to change his beliefs. Socrates conclude that there is a fine line between good and evil. That being gentle and good are the ones who are happy and the ones who do evil live miserably. In this case, I agree with Socrates because it is not about satisfying your own will but rather for the people own sake of happiest. Also, in a contemporary society the ones who help out and give out the most will result in creating stronger communities and happier society for everyone to live in. Since helping one another will truly make you happy and feel good inside. Yet, Polus thinks that the ones who do bad things shouldn’t be punished and should live happily. In this case, this is not possible in a contemporary society because if a person commits a crime he or she will go to jail and face the consequences. Sometimes what you desire aren’t the best but Polus describes power as a way of doing things you like whether that’s killing. In my opinion, Polus needs a little more practice with rhetoric because as Plato describes true rhetoric it is only done for the sake of good. Socrates believed that no matter what the price was, total honesty and truth was the only choice in order for one to live a happy, fulfilling life. That doing wrong is evil than suffering wrong, that rhetoric should only be used for the sake of the good and that every wrongdoer should be justly punished. In the end, good morals make every person’s life happy and changing the structure of one’s community for the