The problem of the similarity or dissimilarity between Socrates and the rhetors in Plato's Gorgias

• Grant number: 11/07087-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2011
• End date: December 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Philosophy - History of Philosophy
• Principal Investigator: Lucas Angioni
• Grantee: Gustavo Rafael Bianchi Azevedo Ferreira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas (IFCH). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This scientific initiation work aims to approach, from Plato's Gorgias, the problem of the similarity or dissimilarity between Socrates and the practitioners of rhetoric. In order to accomplish that aim, it intends to make a comparison between them which should consider both the method of discourse and the ethical-political thought displayed by each of them in this dialogue. Such a comparison will be done through the study of four relations. They are the following: (1a) the relation between the philosopher's (Socrates) method of discourse e that of the rhetoric practitioners (Gorgias, Polus and Callicles); (1b) the relation between the philosopher's ethical-political thought e that of the rhetoric practitioners; (2a) the relation between the philosopher's method of discourse and his ethical-political thought; (2b) the relation between the rhetoric practitioners' method of discourse and their ethical-political thought.