Gorgias

by Plato

Overview

Taking the form of a dialogue between Socrates, Gorgias, Polus and Callicles, the Gorgias debates crucial questions about the nature of government. While the aspiring politician Callicles propounds the view that might is right, and the rhetorician Gorgias argues that oratory and the power to persuade represent 'the greatest good', Socrates insists on the duty of politicians to consider the welfare of their citizens -- a duty he believed had been dishonoured in the Athens of his time. The dialogue offers fascinating insights into how classical Athens was governed, as well as creating a theoretical framework that has been highly influential on subsequent political debate.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781605125060
Publisher:	Akasha Classics
Publication date:	11/12/2009
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Robin Waterfield was commissioning editor at Penguin between 1988-91, and now works as a consultant editor for Collins Harvill, freelance translator, and writer of children's books. His acclaimed translations of Plato include Philebus (1982), Theaetus (1987), Early Socratic Dialogues (1987), Republic (1993), and Symposium (1994). He lives in Teddington, Surrey.

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgements	vii
	Reference System Used in this Edition	ix
	Chronology	xi
	Introduction	xiii
	Further Reading	xxxviii
	A Note on the Text	xliii
A	Dialogue With Gorgias	3
B	Dialogue With Polus	27
C	Dialogue With Callicles	64
	Notes	139
	Glossary of Greek Terms	151
	Index	153

Editorial Reviews

Zeyl’s introduction is the best brief discussion of the Gorgias I have read. . . . notes at the bottom of the page are well-chosen and helpful. Text is printed and bound in the highest professional standards and sold for the lowest possible price. —Franklin E. Robinson, Murray State University

From the Publisher