Single Idea 283

[catalogued under 19. Language / F. Communication / 1. Rhetoric]

Full Idea

The science of whether one must persuade or not must rule over the science capable of persuading.

Gist of Idea

The question of whether or not to persuade comes before the science of persuasion

Source

Plato (The Statesman [c.356 BCE], 304c)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Statesman', ed/tr. Bernadete,Seth [University of Chicago 1986], p.58


A Reaction

Plato probably thinks that reason has to be top of the pyramid, but there is always the Nietzschean/romantic question of why we should place such a value on what is rational.