The Ambiguity of Plato Essay examples - 1959 Words

The Ambiguity of Plato For hundreds of years, Plato has been admired as a writer, a master rhetorician, an artist, and above all, a philosopher; however, Platos backlashes against sophistry and art have led to much confusion concerning his ideas and beliefs. John Poulakos says of Plato, [F]or most rhetoricians Plato has always played the same role he assigned to the sophists--the enemy (Nienkamp 1). Plato will always appear to be the skilled rhetorician or artist who speaks out against rhetoric and art. In Apology and Phaedrus we see the character of Socrates rail against writing because it can quickly get out of control of the author and just as easily be misinterpreted, yet Plato is known for his skillful dialogical writing. In†¦show more content†¦Plato says that oration is better because the orator can answer back directly any questions the audience might have. One can see Platos point in this belief. An authors words can be easily misconstrued and the original meanings lost; this is a fact th at can be witnessed everyday. How often do our own words get misconstrued in our day to day interactions with other people? In Phaedrus, Socrates says of the ambiguity of writing, [T]hose who think they can leave written instructions for an art, as well as those who accept them, thinking that writing can yield results that are clear or certain must be quite naà ¯ve (275c). Perhaps this is the reason that Plato chose to write in his dialogical format; however, his mastery of language and rhetorical devices still shines through in each of his works. Plato obviously has strong doubts that writing could help us achieve knowledge in any way. However, if Plato is correct in saying that writing is not as effective as discourse due to misinterpretation, he contradicts himself in the Apology. Socrates has a discourse with the jurors, but he is still not acquitted. We who read the text today are more likely to see the unjust trial of Socrates than those who witnessed the trial first hand. Socrates strong appeal with the added stupidity of his captors aids us in seeing the absurdity of the charges. In the Apology, philosophy becomes the one onShow MoreRelatedIn this paper I will discuss the Final Argument in Plato’s Phaedo. In this argument Socrates700 Words   |  3 Pagesand our souls will truly exist in another world (Plato, 1689).† This argument may be the most convincing of his arguments about the afterlife, but the way in which he comes to his conclusion that the soul is immortal and indestructible is flawed, and because of this, I find that Plato’s final argument is not sound and lacking validity. I feel this argument is an unsound deductive argument. In order to show evidence of this, I will examine how Plato reached his conclusion. The best way to examineRead MoreMartin Luther King Jr s Letter From Birmingham Jail1665 Words   |  7 Pageswanted freedom from segregation and Plato wanted freedom from ignorance. They both wanted justice, and knew that it was immoral to take deny another being justice. For example, Plato has said, â€Å"†¦ Injustice is always an evil and dishonor to him who acts unjustly.† This is similar to what Martin Luther King Jr has also stated in â€Å"Letters from Birmingham Jail†, â€Å"We have a moral responsibility to disobey any law that conflicts with the law of god.† (Paragraph 16) Both Plato and King followed similar philosophiesRead MoreEuthyphro-Plato: What is Holiness? Essay547 Words   |  3 PagesEuthyphro – Plato Holiness is a central theme in the Socratic dialogue with Euthyphro. Socrates has taken up the ironic role of a student in the narrative as he attempts to gain knowledge of what holiness entails, from Euthyphro. Socrates meets with Euthyphro as they meet at a court in Athens. He seeks to gain knowledge on holiness, such that, he can use the insights in his trial against Meletus. Earlier, Meletus had charged him for impiety in a court. This justifies the importance that has beenRead MoreCharacteristics Of The Tragedy Of Platos Apology1068 Words   |  5 PagesThe relationship of comedy and tragedy are often overlapped in meaning, notably in ancient Greek drama and arts. Comedy often presupposed tragedy and are known to compliment one another in literary work. Plato displayed the proper elements of adversity within the â€Å"Apology† and detailed the unfairness the democratic society of Athens presents by punishing an opposing, equally justified force. Socrates preforms his de fence arrogantly and sarcastically in the courtroom of Athens, humouring his own trialRead MoreConsiderations of Moral Leadership and Ideal Leadership in J Thomas Wrens Traditional Classics on Leadership671 Words   |  3 Pagesinitial fiction that was created or invented in response to the challenges of societal governance ¦ (p.13) Wren states that Plato was particularly astute in regards to implications for leaders in a democracy. (p.14) In a democracy, according to Wren the people do not recognize what is best for them, particularly with respect to who should lead them. (2007, p.14) Plato utilized allegorical methods to describe the problems of leading a democracy stating that the people honor as a good and profoundlyRead MoreProtagoras Answer to How Virtue Can be Taught by a Story About the Creation of Animals by the Gods1014 Words   |  5 Pagestheory from the expression of that theory) Protagoras embodies an attitude of unconcern and disregard for the true importance of p hilosophy. This attitude is characteristic of the Sophists, at least as they are represented in Platos dialogues. For Plato, the form an argument takes should be dictated by the requirements and merits of that argument. In the previous section, Protagoras emphasized that he, unlike other Sophists, did not hide his doctrine beneath appearance but stated it plainly and publiclyRead MoreHow Safety Is An Essential Human Need Essay1209 Words   |  5 Pageswriters, and practitioners. Therefore, this paper will focus on Plato, Plutarch, and Arendt’s understanding of safety in society as well as it will regard the modern conditions of the security components. Plato about Safety in a Society According to Plato, the state should pay particular attention to the soldiers who ensure its safety. It means that no other problems should detract the soldiers from their task to preserve safety. Plato understands security as an ‘aid,’ or a ‘salvation.’ He elaboratedRead MoreSocrates vs Protagoras1705 Words   |  7 PagesPhilosophy Socrates a sophist? Or just sophisticated? Plato goes a long way in attempting to distinguish Socrates from the likes of Protagoras, a self admitted sophist. In Protagoras, Socrates is depicted as a street smart, wisdom dispensing young man, brash with confidence and a bit of arrogance that goes a long way when confronted with the old school rhetoric of Protagoras. Plato begins to separate the two at the hip right from the get go. The dialogue between Socrates and his inquisitive friendRead MorePlatos Belief that the Human Soul is Immortal1297 Words   |  6 PagesThe Nicene Creed appointed the roles of trinity by using the familiar triad set forth by Plato. God maintains His position as the Father and most important; Jesus becomes a divine human - born of the Father and the Holy Spirit; and the Holy Spirit brings knowledge and truths which are set forth by both the Father and Son. â€Å"The true foundation upon which the doctrine rests is God himself†¦ it is God as he acted in history, entering our world as a Jewish c arpenter named Jesus, dying and rising againRead MoreA Comparison Of Thomas Mores Utopia, And The Symposium By Plato1607 Words   |  7 Pages Utopia by Thomas More, and The Symposium by Plato are similar in that they both challenge pre-existing notions in society. The two stories prompt readers to reconsider certain aspects of life which one might have found to be quite one-sided. Thomas More introduces us to an island called Utopia which serves as a model of perfection in each facet of everyday life. In The Symposium, Plato and his friends contribute distinctive interpretations on the origin and meaning of love. Both author’s purpose