{"id":21,"date":"2025-08-12T19:58:42","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T19:58:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/historyofrhetoric\/?p=21"},"modified":"2025-09-05T16:38:36","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T16:38:36","slug":"chapter-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/historyofrhetoric\/chapter-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 3"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Chapter 3<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Plato vs. the Sophists: Rhetoric on Trial<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chapter Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Plato recognized the power of persuasive language, particularly when employed by a trained practitioner of rhetoric. He also saw a great danger in this power. Rhetoric in the service of personal motives, and appealing to an ignorant public, would lead a society to ruin. In Gorgias<\/em>, he reveals the problems inherent in the practice of rhetoric when it is not joined to wisdom and a true knowledge of justice. Plato asked his readers to consider what constitutes \u201cthe good life.\u201d Rhetoric can serve good or evil goals. Plato suggests in Phaedrus<\/em>, there can be a true art of rhetoric. It would consist of a thorough knowledge of the different types of human souls, as well as a thorough knowledge of how to make arguments that would appeal to each type of soul.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Review Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Download Worksheet<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tap to reveal the author’s responses when you’re ready to check your answers.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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