Hello,

I think to a very small extent P.Soc actually does start to accept rhetoric and its benefits to mainly education, but society as well. It is hard to discern in the text, but multiple times he refers to sophists, not by name however, as remarkable and capable people. He also is much more accepting of Phaedrus’ arguments than that of Gorgias, who he just seems to bully.

However, I believe that he is still very reserved about rhetoric, and quite skeptical. For example, pages 506-507 P.Soc really delves into the danger of sophists and public rhetoric. He truly seems to fear the idea of a uneducated and unqualified person, who can win an argument through deception however, mis leading the public.

I believe he liked rhetoric’s contribution to education, but despises its ability to easily hide the truth of an argument and subject matter.

Edit to add: The biggest difference comes on page 517 when Plato points out that unlike before, he no longer believes that rhetoric, which he saw as deceptive towards a soul, could now possibly affect the soul in a positive way, but the soul must be known by the rhetorician. Rhetorician is the study of the soul now.