Abstract This paper sheds light on the hostile criticism leveled against Pericles by Plato, who, with few exceptions, is averse to competent orators throughout his works. To this end, I have chosen to examine the Gorgias , since the views expressed about the famous political leader in this philosophical dialogue remain to this day inadequately explored. The passages to be analyzed include references to Pericles, as well as a conversation between Socrates and Callicles regarding the edification of the citizens’ souls. I will attempt to flesh out the causes of Plato’s negative attitude towards Pericles by examining in detail the deeper philosophical meaning of Plato’s way of thinking. This can only be done, if the ethical purpose of the whole dialogue is taken into account, as Socrates urges politicians to master philosophical knowledge before entering politics. In addition, I will try to prove that Plato demands that a politician be able to guarantee a future of hope and moral righteousness not by coercing the allies of Athens and imposing its hegemony over them, but by making his fellow citizens more virtuous. In support of this perspective, the term «mellontotropic» (i.e. «future-oriented»), describing Platonic philosophy, is introduced for the first time in a Platonic study. Finally, I will argue that Plato deliberately ignores arguments that can be used to defend Pericles, because he wants to lessen the value of rhetoric and to encourage his readers to be involved in the dialectical process.
Stavros Anastasopoulos (Wed,) studied this question.
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