Gorgias : Transl. with notes by Terence IrwinThe Gorgias is a vivid introduction to central problems of moral and political philosophy. In answer to an eloquent attack on morality as conspiration of the weak against the strong, Plato develops his own doctrine, insisting that the benefits of being moral always outweigh any benefits to bewon from immorality. He applies his views to such questions as the errors of democracy, the role of the political expert in society, and the justification of punishment.In the notes to this translation, Professor Irwin discusses the historical and social context of the dialogue, expounds and criticizes the arguments, and tries above all to suggest the questions a modern reader ought to raise about Plato's doctrines. |
Common terms and phrases
accept Adkins agent agree akolasia Alcibiades answer apparently appetites Archelaus aretē argues argument Aristotle assumption Athenian believe benefit better body Callicles Chaerephon citizens claim contrast conventional justice courage craft craftsman defend desires dialogue discussion doctor Dodds elenchos eristic eudaimonia Euripides evil flattery Gorgias Greek Guthrie happiness harm hedonism imply intemperate interlocutor Irwin Isocrates kalon kind knack knowledge logos moral nature nomoi nomos pain pay justice perhaps Pericles persuasion philosophy phronesis Plato pleasant pleasure political politician Polus Protagoras punishment Pyrilampes questions reason refer refute reject relies rhetoric rule sake seems shameful Socrates assumes Socrates replies Socrates says Socrates suggests Socratic Paradox someone soul speaking speech suffering injustice superior suppose tell temperance Themistocles Theory of Forms things Thrasymachus Thuc Thucydides tyrant unjust action unjustly virtue virtuous Vlastos worse wretched Zeus