10/4 Gorgias 447a-461b I. General background about Plato a. Plato lived from 424-328 b.c b. A.N. Whitehead stated‚ “The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato. I do not mean the systematic scheme of thought which scholars have doubtfully extracted from his writings. I allude to the wealth of general ideas scattered through them.” i. There is so much rich stuff throughout his work ii. He was a towering intellectual
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In the book Gorgias Socrates finds himself in an argument with Polus and Gorgias about whether oratory is a knack or a craft. Socrates’ opinion is that oratory is not a craft but rather a knack. When looking at the distinction between a knack and a craft it is commonly agreed upon that a knack is simply something that one is instinctively better at than others and a craft is a skill that one acquires through pursuit. With this said‚ the distinction that Socrates makes between a knack and a craft
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Jan. 2013 [Rhetoric]...seems to be a pursuit that is not a matter of art‚ but showing a shrewd‚ gallant spirit which has a natural bent for clever dealing with mankind‚ and I sum up its subsance in the name of flattery" (Plato 97). In Plato’s dialogue‚ Socrates’ efforts to define and criticize the nature and purposes of rhetoric are evident in the quote mentioned above. When describing rhetoric‚ Socrates goes on to explain that rhetoric "is not an art but habitude or knack" (97). It appears
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DIALOGUE RULES AND WRITING ASSIGNMENT What is dialogue? It is conversation between characters in a story and is very important to add interest to the piece and to move the plot forward. There are some rules to dialogue‚ however‚ that you want to make sure you know. Dialogue Rules (taken from http://www5.semo.edu/english/taweb/content/dialogue_rules.htm) RULE #1: A direct quotation begins with a capital letter. Jimmy shouted‚ “See you at the game!” “Is it true?" asked Cindy. RULE
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Freedom vs. Survival in The Melian Dialogue The Melian Dialogue‚ written by Thucydides‚ is an account of the confrontation between the people of Melos and the people of Athens. Melos was a small island off the southeastern coast of Greece that tried to remain independent and neutral during the Peloponnesian War. The Athenians wanted to gain control of Melos in order to intimidate the Spartans. The theme of freedom vs. survival is evident throughout this dialogue‚ as the Melians do not want to succumb
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Do you agree with the analysis in the Melian Dialogue about the relationship between strong and weak states‚ and between power and morality David Greer Thucydides can be seen as the first great Historian‚ and his "history of the Peloponnesian war"� is said to be the catalyst of the realist tradition. A question often asked‚ is whether Thucydides is a realist or not? He is merely recording a realist opinion? To answer the question‚ lets look at what Thucydides himself says. "And as for the real action
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influence. In “The Melian Dialogue”‚ drafted during the Peloponnesian War‚ Thucydides brings into question the role of power in relation to statecraft and international relations. As the Athenians continue to expand their Aegean Empire‚ they come into contact with the island of Melos‚ an isolated colony of Sparta. The Athenian generals send representatives to negotiate with the Melians rather than immediately using sheer military force to conquer them. In the resulting dialogue‚ Thucydides manages to
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The Melian Dialogue This is the debate between two Athenians councils regarding the fate of Melians: Diomedes and Nikolaos whose perspectives are somewhat represented all Athenians’ thinking. While Diomedes is aggressive and pro-war‚ Nikolaos remains caution and in favor of the Melians proposal. Here is the debate: Diomedes: We need to prepare our ships. Melian needs to be taught a lesson! Nikolaos: Why do we to attack Melian? They have always been neutral city. They are not our enemy
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It is the Melian dialogue which follows and presents the presumed diplomatic debate between the two nations; the Melian people’s argument for their own neutrality‚ and the Athenian people’s attempt to persuade them to submit. The issue which arises in light of the events at Melos remains to be whether it is the people of Melos’ views of justice which is correct‚ or if it is Athens’ definition which is truer. By examining each city-state’s contributions to the Melian dialogue‚ each respective interpretation
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Plato’s Gorgias In The Gorgias‚ Plato uses the character‚ Socrates‚ in a debated dialogue to get his ideas out on his position on rhetoric and philosophy. He views rhetoric as a knack‚ or experience created into an art‚ producing delight and gratification‚ rather than true art. Plato’s primary argument against sophistry is that it is not an art‚ but only a knack because sophists are not concerned with what is best for a person’s soul‚ but only concerned with what pleases their audience. The
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