Belief versus Knowledge in Gorgias

In Plato’s Gorgias, the philosopher challenges a series of Sophists in regards to their beliefs. The major point of the debate revolves around the question of whether or not it is fair to qualify rhetoric as an art, or techne. While the Sophists seem more than convinced that their practice is an art or discipline, Plato is hardly persuaded (pun intended). The problem for Plato is that he believes rhetoric (or more specifically Sophistic rhetoric), is simply based in superfluous flattery as opposed to being grounded in knowledge. For instance, Plato gives examples and counterexamples to prove his point. Plato uses gymnastics as his example of a true art that is grounded in knowledge (one must diligently study it to understand it), with the practitioner being a physical trainer. This art promotes health and well-being in a population. Plato counteracts this example with the sham-art of makeup. According to Plato, this deceiving practice uses frivolous means to cover-up a person’s true age in order to make them appear younger and healthier than they truly are. This example highlights Plat0’s views on the differences between Legislation and Sophistic rhetoric. Legislation attempts to create laws, based on virtue and perhaps based in social agreements, that allow all citizens to live a just life. On the other hand, Plato believes that Sophistic (opposite of legislation) is simply interested in controlling positions of power in courts and influencing laws in order to benefit the rhetor and those he works for. The largest problem that arises from this scenario is that when the legislature is run by those with self-serving ulterior motives based on power and greed, they may influence the masses into believing that they are living a just life, when they may not be. To summarize a complex idea, Plato has an issue with rhetoric for its shortcomings as a techne along with the fact that it produces no tangible good outcome for society. Additionally, Plato believes the fact that rhetoric is based on lying (or persuading) to the masses is a dangerous tool that could easily lead to false ideas of justice becoming commonplace in society.