Gorgias

Plato, 427？ BCE-347？ BCEProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

4.6

Word count: 380K words
Chapters: 38

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Gorgias by PlatoAuthor: Plato, 427? BCE-347? BCE,Language: Finnish, Class: PA: Language and Literatures: Classical Languages and Literature, Release Date: May 12, 2018

Editor's review

This is a dialogue by Plato featuring Socrates, debating rhetoric and justice, an important text for understanding Plato's early thought and classical criticism of rhetoric. This edition is a Finnish translation released by Project Gutenberg, a public-domain e-book, with the barrier to reading lying mainly in language rather than depth of content. Its highlight is the dialogue's step-by-step progression, extending from the dispute over the definition of rhetoric to moral and political responsibility, suitable for use as primary reading in courses on the history of philosophy, classics, or rhetoric. Readers are advised to have basic background in Greek philosophy and to read alongside different translations or annotated editions; if one only wishes to understand Plato's thought, one may first read an English or Chinese introductory translation, then return to the original-language version for close textual reading. The electronic edition facilitates searching and excerpting, suitable for thematic seminars or writing citations.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Undergraduates and researchers in the history of philosophy, classics, or rhetoric who need to read Plato's primary texts
Readers interested in the Socratic method of dialogue who are willing to analyze argument structure paragraph by paragraph
Researchers with Finnish reading ability or who wish to use the original-language version for textual comparison

Not a good fit for

Complete beginners without philosophical reading experience who wish to start with popular introductions
Readers unfamiliar with Finnish and without a plan for using a parallel translation
Readers who only want a summary of Plato's thought and are unwilling to invest time in analyzing argumentative details

Reading tips

First read the opening passage on the definition of rhetoric and sort out the points of disagreement between Socrates and Gorgias
After each round of question and answer, summarize both sides' arguments in one sentence, then review whether the argument holds
Keep a history of Greek philosophy or an introduction to Plato at hand to consult proper names and background at any time
If language is an obstacle, read through with an English or Chinese translation, then return to the Finnish version to check key concepts

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this version an English translation or the original text?

According to the information, the e-book's language is Finnish—neither the ancient Greek original nor an English translation. Before reading, please confirm whether you can handle a Finnish text or prepare a translation in another language for comparison.

Can I understand it without a philosophical background?

The dialogue itself has dramatic quality, but the argument involves concepts such as rhetoric, justice, and moral responsibility, and without background one may easily remain at the level of plot. It is advisable to read an introductory guide to Plato first, then enter the text.

Is it suitable for classroom use?

It is suitable as supplementary material for courses on classical philosophy or rhetoric, especially convenient for searching and excerpting. But teachers need to provide background explanation and parallel translations, and note that this edition is in Finnish.

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About the author

Plato, 427？ BCE-347？ BCE Author

Plato (c. 427–347 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher. Reliable details of his life are limited in public sources, and his thought and writings are generally known through later accounts. The library holds 65 of his works, including the multi-volume Republic (Πολιτεία), the Symposium, and the Phaedo. These works are mostly dialogues with Socrates as the central figure, unfolding through question and answer around justice, the governance of the city, love, the soul, and knowledge, combining philosophical inquiry with dramatic literary form. The Republic, which discusses the ideal city and justice, is especially influential. Plato's style is marked by analogy, argument, and open-ended conclusions, and he has had a lasting influence on later Western philosophy and political thought.