In the Gorgias, Socrates attempts to articulate his own position concerning rhetoric in response to Polus. He says that he understands it to be "an image of a part of politics" (463c).
The chart below is an attempt to lay out the account Socrates offers to Polus at 464b-ff:
What differentiates an art (techne) from an experience (empeiria)? Socrates seems to suggest that a techne involves the ability to offer a reasoned account with respect to the thing it administers, it is said to involve an understanding of the nature of that which it administers and an ability to state causes (465a).
What is the result of this elaborate analogy? What is its effect on Polus, on us?
The chart below is an attempt to lay out the account Socrates offers to Polus at 464b-ff:
|
|
Care of Soul: |
Politics |
Care of Body: |
No Name |
|
|
|
Maintaining |
Restoring |
Maintaining |
Restoring |
Aim |
Techne
|
Legislation |
Justice |
Gymnastics |
Medicine |
Good |
Empeiria
|
Sophistry |
Rhetoric |
Cosmetics |
Pastry Baking |
Pleasure |
What differentiates an art (techne) from an experience (empeiria)? Socrates seems to suggest that a techne involves the ability to offer a reasoned account with respect to the thing it administers, it is said to involve an understanding of the nature of that which it administers and an ability to state causes (465a).
What is the result of this elaborate analogy? What is its effect on Polus, on us?
