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pr_load's review against another edition
5.0
This one is a good one. This dialogue might be more aptly named Callicles because the interaction Socrates has with Callicles is by far the most memorable. Socrates takes on the Master of rhetoric (flattery) Gorgias, along with his two pupils Polus and Callicles. He slowly gets both Gorgias and Polus to make admissions that rhetoric is essentially a waste of time, and this unleashes the onslaught of Callicles. Callicles says that Socrates is wasting his time, and that philosophy is for little children, but for grown men is shameful. He goes as far as to imply that Socrates should be flogged for pursuing such a stupid endeavor. Socrates then proceeds to verbally take Callicles out by the shed and beats him like his daddy for half the dialogue until the point where Callicles outright refuses to answer any of Socrates' questions. It was very enjoyable, and much more dramatic than your typical dialogue. The main topic is how Rhetoric isn't a skill its a knack that isn't worth much other than pandering to the crowds. Socrates also makes some of his most bold claims in regards to morality, and how one shouldn't concern oneself with public opinion, nor of potential ramifications, one should concern oneself with doing what is just.
zkendall's review against another edition
5.0
A fun read. Socrates absolutely works the other characters by getting them to assent to simple questions and then after a long trail, Socrates sums sums it all up and shows how the other contradicted their previous assertions.