Gorgias
By: Plato ; translated by Walter Hamilton and Chris Emlyn-Jones ; introduction, commentary and notes by Chris Emlyn-Jones
Contributors: Hamilton, Walter, 1908- tr; Emlyn-Jones, C. J., tr
Edition: Rev. ed
Series: Penguin classics
Publisher: Penguin
Published: 2004
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 155
Subjects: Ethics -- Early works to 1800; Political science -- Early works to 1800
Genres: Early works to 1800
Work titles: Gorgias.
Description: "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"--Cover page 4.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [xxxviii]-xlii) and index