Plato: Gorgias

E.R. Dodds' Plato: Gorgias is a scholarly commentary and analysis of one of Plato's most significant dialogues. The work includes the complete Greek text alongside detailed notes and interpretation of the philosophical arguments. The commentary examines the historical context of the dialogue, including information about the real Gorgias and the political climate of ancient Athens. Dodds provides extensive linguistic analysis and explains key philosophical concepts as they appear in the original text. The book features several appendices that explore specific aspects of the dialogue, from textual variations to the role of rhetoric in Greek society. The translation aims for precision rather than literary style, focusing on accurate representation of Plato's philosophical terminology. The work reveals tensions between moral philosophy and political power that remain relevant to modern discourse about ethics and governance. Dodds' analysis highlights the dialogue's exploration of justice, truth, and the relationship between knowledge and virtue.

Readers value Dodds' detailed commentary and analysis that makes Plato's complex arguments more approachable. Multiple reviews note his clear explanations of cultural context and Greek terminology. Likes: - Thorough line-by-line interpretation - Historical background on sophists and rhetoric - Readable translation of the Greek text - Extensive footnotes and references Dislikes: - Dense academic writing style - Some find the commentary interrupts flow - Limited discussion of modern interpretations - Print quality issues in newer editions A philosophy student on Goodreads writes: "Dodds breaks down Plato's rhetoric tactics and moral arguments in ways that helped me follow the dialogue's structure." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (14 ratings) Google Books: 4/5 (8 ratings) Most criticism focuses on the scholarly tone rather than content. One reviewer notes: "This is more suited for academic study than casual reading."

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🎓 E.R. Dodds spent over 20 years preparing his edition of Gorgias, making it one of the most thoroughly researched commentaries on any Platonic dialogue. 📚 The commentary includes groundbreaking analysis of the relationship between rhetoric and power in ancient Athens, which influenced later political philosophers like Michel Foucault. 🏺 Dodds was the first scholar to extensively explore the connections between the Gorgias and ancient Greek religious and magical practices, drawing on his expertise in both classical literature and anthropology. ✍️ The book contains a detailed reconstruction of the historical Gorgias's actual teaching methods, based on fragments of his work and contemporary accounts that Dodds gathered from various ancient sources. 🗣️ While working on this commentary, Dodds maintained correspondence with Ludwig Wittgenstein, who was deeply interested in the dialogue's exploration of language and persuasion.