PLATO, GORGIAS, PT. 3
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Write a one page summary of this part of the book.
2. 504- How are order and proportion produced in the soul (504)?
3. How does Socrates lead Callicles to the position that "correction is better for
the soul than absence of restraint" (505)?
4. Give three examples from Homer that might teach the lesson, "the disciplined soul
is good" (507).
5. Why does Socrates think that it is appropriate that the meaning of the word
"cosmos" is "orderly" (508)?
6. Why is the despot able to befriend no one but other despots (510)?
7. What does Socrates think should be the true purpose of oratory (513)?
8. In modern political terms, would this purpose be "liberal" or
"conservative"?
9. What is the sense behind the proverb that we ought not to be like the man who began his
apprenticeship in pottery by putting his hand to the bottle (514)?
10. Why does Socrates hold that Pericles was a poor ruler (516)?
11.-What does Callicles mean by saying that one should be the "state’s
servant" (521)?
12. Why does Socrates think that he would have no defense in a court of law (521)?
13. How does Socrates think that we can reach the isles of blessed (525)?
14. How has this idea influenced church dogma?
15. If Socrates were presented the Gospel would his ideas be a hindrance or aid in his
seeing its truth?
16. How might God have used Plato to prepare the Pagan world to accept the Gospel?