Ideas from 'Gorgias' by Plato [387 BCE], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Complete Works' by Plato (ed/tr Cooper,John M.) [Hackett 1997,0-87220-349-2]].

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1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 7. Despair over Philosophy

125	Is a gifted philosopher unmanly if he avoids the strife of the communal world?

2. Reason / C. Styles of Reason / 2. Elenchus

1654	In "Gorgias" Socrates is confident that his 'elenchus' will decide moral truth [Vlastos]

4321	We should test one another, by asking and answering questions

19. Language / F. Communication / 1. Rhetoric

114	Rhetoric can produce conviction, but not educate people about right and wrong

116	Rhetoric is irrational about its means and its ends

20. Action / B. Preliminaries of Action / 1. Intention to Act / b. Types of intention

135	All activity aims at the good

22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / g. Will to power

122	Moral rules are made by the weak members of humanity

22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / h. Fine deeds

139	A good person is bound to act well, and this brings happiness

22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / i. Self-interest

128	Is it natural to simply indulge our selfish desires?

22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / f. Good as pleasure

4322	In slaking our thirst the goodness of the action and the pleasure are clearly separate

136	Good should be the aim of pleasant activity, not the other way round

22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / e. Role of pleasure

134	Good and bad people seem to experience equal amounts of pleasure and pain

22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / f. Dangers of pleasure

4319	In a fool's mind desire is like a leaky jar, insatiable in its desires, and order and contentment are better

132	If happiness is the satisfaction of desires, then a life of scratching itches should be happiness

23. Ethics / A. Egoism / 2. Hedonism

130	Is the happiest state one of sensual, self-indulgent freedom?

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / c. Motivation for virtue

120	Should we avoid evil because it will bring us bad consequences?

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / e. Character

118	I would rather be a victim of crime than a criminal

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / b. Temperance

140	Self-indulgent desire makes friendship impossible, because it makes a person incapable of co-operation

131	If absence of desire is happiness, then nothing is happier than a stone or a corpse

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / c. Justice

129	Do most people praise self-discipline and justice because they are too timid to gain their own pleasure?

119	A criminal is worse off if he avoids punishment

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 4. External Goods / b. Health

4320	The popular view is that health is first, good looks second, and honest wealth third

24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 1. Purpose of a State

137	As with other things, a good state is organised and orderly

24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / c. Direct democracy

141	A good citizen won't be passive, but will redirect the needs of the state

25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 1. Grounds of equality

123	Do most people like equality because they are second-rate?

25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 4. Economic equality

124	Does nature imply that it is right for better people to have greater benefits?