EPISODE · May 19, 2024 · 12 MIN
Plato, Gorgias - Knowledge, Good Will, And Frankness - Sadler's Lectures
from Sadler's Lectures · host Lectures on classic and contemporary philosophical texts and thinkers by Gregory B. Sadler
This lecture discusses key ideas from the ancient philosopher Plato's dialogue, the Gorgias. This lecture focuses specifically on a passage in the conversation between Socrates and the host of the evening's conversations, Callicles. After Callicles has told Socrates that philosophy is fine for children and young men, but that a mature man ought to leave it behind, Socrates ironically tells Callicles that he is certain to get a good assessment of his character from Callicles. Socrates claims that for a person who wants to be a good tester and judge of whether others are living their lives well, and whether their souls are well-nurtured, three characteristics are needed. These three are knowledge (epistēmē) good will (eunoia), and frankness or freedom of speech (parrhēsia). Socrates claims that Callicles has demonstrated that he possesses all three of these traits, and has displayed them towards Socrates. To support my ongoing work, go to my Patreon site - www.patreon.com/sadler If you'd like to make a direct contribution, you can do so here - www.paypal.me/ReasonIO - or at BuyMeACoffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/A4quYdWoM You can find over 3,000 philosophy videos in my main YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/gbisadler Purchase Plato's Gorgias - https://amzn.to/3yjaoMY
What this episode covers
This lecture discusses key ideas from the ancient philosopher Plato's dialogue, the Gorgias. This lecture focuses specifically on a passage in the conversation between Socrates and the host of the evening's conversations, Callicles. After Callicles has told Socrates that philosophy is fine for children and young men, but that a mature man ought to leave it behind, Socrates ironically tells Callicles that he is certain to get a good assessment of his character from Callicles. Socrates claims that for a person who wants to be a good tester and judge of whether others are living their lives well, and whether their souls are well-nurtured, three characteristics are needed. These three are knowledge (epistēmē) good will (eunoia), and frankness or freedom of speech (parrhēsia). Socrates claims that Callicles has demonstrated that he possesses all three of these traits, and has displayed them towards Socrates. To support my ongoing work, go to my Patreon site - www.patreon.com/sadler If you'd like to make a direct contribution, you can do so here - www.paypal.me/ReasonIO - or at BuyMeACoffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/A4quYdWoM You can find over 3,000 philosophy videos in my main YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/gbisadler Purchase Plato's Gorgias - https://amzn.to/3yjaoMY
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Plato, Gorgias - Knowledge, Good Will, And Frankness - Sadler's Lectures
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