PLATO, GORGIAS, PT. 2
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Write a one page summary of this part of the book.
2. What is the difference between on idea being grounded in convention and being grounded
in nature (482)?
3. Why does Callicles think that conventions are created by weaklings (483)?
4. How could Callicles claim that "might makes right" is in accordance with
natural law (483)?
5. Why is Socrates glad that Callicles is so frank in his positions, when Socrates
disagrees so completely with Callicles (487)?
6. How did Socrates get Callicles to admit that in fact he did not think that the good was
the advantage of the stronger but of the "more gifted" intelligent people (489).
7. What else does Callicles claim that the better man must have besides intelligence? And,
why must he have this additional attribute (491)?
8. Explain Callicles view of ideal happiness (492).
9. What is the point of the leaky pitcher analogy (493)?
10. What is the point of the scratching example (494)?
11. What is the "inconsistency" that Socrates draws Callicles into (495)?
12. Explain how Socrates shows Callicles that the pleasurable and the good are not
necessarily the same thing (497).
13. How does Socrates show Callicles that experiencing pleasure does not make one
necessarily good (498)?
14. Show how Socrates gets Callicles to admit that orators may not use their art to any
end whatsoever (499-500).