Logos And Rhetoric: Or On Th e Limits Of Plato’s Philosophical Rhetoric

Abstract

Th e author discusses the scope and limits of both Plato’s criticism of rhetoricin the Gorgias and of his project of new philosophical rhetoric in the Phaedrus. In thesetwo dialogues Plato does not change his attitude towards rhetoric as it may appear atfi rst glance. In both of them he radically criticizes the rhetorical practices of his time.Th e novelty of the Pheadrus is the introduction of a new rhetoric, based on philosophy,which needs fulfi ll three conditions. Firstly, the rhetorical logoi should be composedin such manner that they represent inseparable parts of the organic whole of anoration. Secondly, rhetorical speeches should be based on the strict dialectical rulesof collection and division. Finally, philosopher rhetorician must “guide the souls” ofhis listeners in such a way that he radically infl uences the forming of their souls byfollowing the philosophically founded educational or legal ideal. Plato’s unfi nishedproject was never fully accomplished nor was it ever again set up with such greatambition.