GORGIAS

A dinner party between Socrates and a small group of sophists (and additional guests) is depicted in the discussion. Socrates engages in an argument with a sophist in order to determine the correct definition of rhetoric and expose the defects in the sophistic oratory popular in Athens at the time. In antique Athens, the ability of persuasion was widely seen as important for political and legal gain, and rhetoricians advertised themselves as teachers of this fundamental skill. Some, like Gorgias, were outsiders who were drawn to Athens because of its intellectual and cultural sophistication. Socrates claims to be one of the few Athenians who engages in actual politics.

Socrates maintains that his interrogation methods are geared at uncovering the truth. He sarcastically praises Callicles' forthrightness since it reveals the truth about oratory: "I am well aware that if you agree with what my soul believes, then you are correct. I understand that anyone who wants to put a soul to the test to determine if it lives well or not must possess three traits, all of which you possess: wisdom, goodwill, and candour." Deliberation with others can lead to truth, as can relaying the information in one's spirit to come to a decision regarding each other's opinions.