Synopses & Reviews
Taking the form of a dialogue among 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 dishonored in the Athens of his time. The dialogue offers fascinating insights into how classical Athens was governed and creates a theoretical framework that has been highly influential on subsequent political debate.
- A revised edition of Walter Hamilton's distinguished translation, with new editorial material
- Includes chronology, glossary, index, and suggestions for further reading
Synopsis
The classic political dialogue, as relevant today as in Plato's time
Taking the form of a dialogue between Socrates, Gorgias, Polus and Callicles, Gorgias debates perennial questions about the nature of government and those who aspire to public office. Are high moral standards essential or should we give our preference to the pragmatist who gets things done or negotiates successfully? Should individuals be motivated by a desire for personal power and prestige, or genuine concern for the moral betterment of the citizens? These questions go to the heart of Athenian democratic principles and are more relevant than ever in today's political climate.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Synopsis
Taking the form of a dialogue between Socrates, Gorgias, Polus and Callicles, GORGIAS debates perennial questions about the nature of government and those who aspire to public office.
Are high moral standards essential or should we give our preference to the pragmatist who gets things done or negotiates successfully? Should individuals be motivated by a desire for personal power and prestige, or genuine concern for the moral betterment of the citizens?
These questions go to the heart of Athenian democratic principles and are more relevant than ever in today's political climate.
Synopsis
An authoritative new translation of Plato's foundational work of Western philosophy The Republic is Plato's masterwork. It was written 2,400 years ago and remains one of the most widely read books in the world, famous for both the richness of its ideas and the virtuosity of its writing. Presented as a dialogue between Plato's teacher Socrates and various interlocutors, it is an exhortation to study philosophy, inviting its readers to reflect on the choices we must make if we are to live the best life available to us. This complex, dynamic work creates a picture of an ideal society governed not money, power, or fame, but by philosophy, wisdom, and justice.
About the Author
Plato (c. 427-347 b.c.) founded the Academy in Athens, the prototype of all Western universities, and wrote more than twenty philosophical dialogues.
Walter Hamilton (1908–1988) was master and honorary fellow of Magdalene College, Cambridge. His translations for Penguin Classics include Plato’s Phaedrus and Letters VII and VIII.
Chris Emlyn-Jones teaches in the department of Classical Studies at the Open University.
Chris Emlyn-Jones teaches in the department of Classical Studies at the Open University.
Chris Emlyn-Jones teaches in the department of Classical Studies at the Open University.
Chris Emlyn-Jones teaches in the department of Classical Studies at the Open University.
Table of Contents
Gorgias Acknowledgments
Reference System Used in this Edition
Chronolgy
Introduction
Further Reading
A Note on the Text
Gorgias
A: Dialogue with Gorgias
B: Dialogue with Polus
C: Dialogue with Callicles
Notes
Glossary of Greek Terms
Index