Thursday, September 6, 2012
Gorgias Question
I read in a character description that Callicles is an older rhetorician, which I found striking given that, to me at least, he seems to act very juvenile in his argument with Socrates (i.e. his obsession with power, and some of the remarks he makes towards Socrates individual points). Did anyone else recognize this and think that perhaps it is Plato remarking on the methods of the rhetoricians or maybe because Callicles is older, Plato has some sort of problem with the age Callicles is representing?
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Yeah I noticed that vein as well. It may be any number of reasons, but my money is on Callicles just thinking Socrates to be an ass. Seriously though. It seems logical to become irritated and at times frustrated by Socrates' seemingly mocking and contradictory explanations. While the discussion is no doubt fruitful--especially the parts about art and flattery--it seems that even backthen people were filleting peoples ears.
ReplyDeleteI can see where it would be frustrating for Callicles. Socrates reminds me of a very tricky lawyer. He answers the questions that are given him, but not really. His round about way of talking would get very irritating. Try watching a political debate, and not walk away feeling like the questions were never truly answered.
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