Plato's Criticism Of The Rhetorical Method example essay topic

method of rhetoric as a form of persuasion is the primary focus of Plato's written work. Plato uses the character of Socrates as the transmitter of the message that Plato wants to extend to his readers. "G In Plato's philosophical work entitled "Gorgias", the philosopher's criticism of the orgias" is a philosophical discourse in that I explore the truth and falsity of how effective and fraudulent the process of rhetoric can be in discovering the truth and living life righteously and in the proper way of living that Plato (or Socrates) refers to as "proper existence". In the philosophical work Socrates illustrates his disagreement with the rhetorical methods of persuasion and he categorizes his disagreements with various issues wherein rhetorical methods are usually used: in the realm of education and politics. I think the usage of rhetorical methods in education and politics indicates a fraudulent form of persuasion, because it aims to incite "pleasure in order to create the impression of good". Socrates states that an orator produces opinion and false belief and not true knowledge by saying what the audience wants to hear.

Furthermore, contrary to Gorgias' claim that the rhetorical method is the "science of words", Socrates points out that rhetoric does not aim for truth nor virtue, two important factors that Plato asserts as the essential needs of the individual in order to achieve "proper existence" and a righteous life, which can be obtained through a disciplined and healthy body and a "positive temperance" of the soul. These important ideas are the issues about rhetoric method that Plato criticizes through the voice of Socrates. Moreover Plato also illustrates through the character of Socrates what are the desirable qualities that an individual should possess in order to achieve the end of man's existence-the achievement of "proper existence". Plato's criticism of the rhetorical method is a legitimate undertaking, and he emphasizes these arguments in the form of a dialogue between Socrates and Gorgias, as well as the other characters in the philosophical work of Plato. As was stated earlier, Plato shows in his work that rhetoric comes to use in education and politics. In the realm of education, Socrates, as Plato's representative in "Gorgias", states that the teacher-student relationship is a good example of how the rhetorical method and, in effect, the persuasion of false belief and knowledge is utilized.

Socrates points out that the teacher's or mentor's teaching methods and discussion of a particular topic or subject is a similar form of the rhetorical method, because the teacher aims to persuade the student to believe him and the topic he discusses as he teaches the student. The student is possibly persuaded, depending on the teacher's persuasive skills. However, there is no guarantee that the subject matter that he teacher teaches to the student can be guaranteed as the truth and true knowledge. Thus, because there is no guarantee of the truth or falsehood of the teacher's teachings, the student may possibly acquire knowledge that can be considered as 'doubtful,' therefore, false knowledge and belief about an issue or subject. Thus, through this example, I think Plato is able to illustrate how a respected institution such as the educational and academic institutions is susceptible to the faulty objectives and methods of the rhetorical method. I think in the same manner as the educational institutions, the political institution and legal aspects of political governance is also another realm wherein rhetoric is as a faulty method of persuasion, and, in effect, information transmission and influencing other people with certain beliefs.

In the dialogue with Calli cles, a young Athenian who emphasizes that might is right, Socrates explains that the speakers in the democratic assemblies try to please the audience and sacrifice "the public interest to their own personal success". He reproaches them for their failure to improve their countrymen and the public welfare. Political governance is one crucial aspect wherein rhetoric is used, especially in a courtroom scenario, which is cited at the initial and later part of Plato's "Gorgias". In the initial part of "Gorgias", Gorgias remarked that rhetoric is a method of persuasion.

However this persuasion does not determine and identify "right and wrong". Also, in the latter part of work, Socrates is quoted as saying that rhetoric is crucial if applied in the realm of political governance because there is a possibility that a good rhetoric can persuade the audience to punish the innocent. I think this is a realistic and good example of how rhetoric is utilized to 'stretch' or 'hide' the truth among wrongdoing or anything illegal by arguing someone's way through good verbal speaking, which is an important aspect of rhetorical persuasion. Furthermore I think Socrates chooses this example to clarify that good and influential persuasion, while it is beneficial to some cases, can be detrimental in other cases. For instance an evildoer or a criminal can escape punishment when that individual has won his way through legal means because of good persuasion of his legal counsel. This example illustrates how rhetoric is contradictory to justice because persuasive rhetoric can lead to unjust decisions.

Again, in my view Plato makes use of the political institution as an example of a system affected by the rhetorical method of persuasion. Socrates thus introduces and recommends the method of dialogue as a far more effective form of information transmission and influencing belief and knowledge. Through dialogues, arguments and issues are better discussed upon, and it avoids the one-sided aspects of communication that rhetoric uses. By using a dialogue form of arguing certain issues and matters, Socrates solves the problem of confusion between truth and falsehood, as well as the determination of right or wrongdoing in an individual's actions because there is not only one view to the audience and therefore it is easier to prove the truth. I think although most of the arguments in "Gorgias" are won by Socrates, it is evident that some of the arguments are discussed through rhetoric, but most of the time, the dialogue form is utilized by Plato. By using dialogue as an effective way of arguing and determining the right and wrong side of issues, Socrates and Plato have achieved practical usage of their philosophical thought.

In essence, "Gorgias" is a good example of a philosophical work that effectively illustrates the disadvantages and criticisms of rhetorical method and the positive utilization of dialogue in arguing / discussing issues and other subject.