Phaedrus Advanced Rhetorical Writing Matt Barton

Who is Plato? Born 427 BCE, died 347 BCE Student of Socrates, teacher of Aristotle “The European philosophical tradition consists of footnotes to Plato.” –Alfred North Whitehead

The Cave We cannot perceive reality directly, but only see a distorted image. The world of the senses is untrustworthy; true sight comes from philosophical inquiry.

Key Questions of Phaedrus What is good rhetoric? –What is love? –What is the nature of the soul? –What is rhetoric’s relationship to truth? Socrates leads Phaedrus through a “protreptikus,” or a “turning away” from mere belief (public opinion) to truth.

Plato’s Rhetoric Good rhetoric, like true love, isn’t a matter of taking advantage but rather a way to help the lover and the beloved become better persons. –False Love, Sophistic Rhetoric –True Love, Philosophical Discourse

Outside the Gates The Phaedrus is the only Socratic dialogue that takes place outside the city. –“Natural” setting for discourse on love –Love is beyond the humdrum of day-to-day civic activities –Beautiful setting reminiscent of “lyrical poetry” that Socrates emulates in his speeches.

Three Speeches Lysias’ Speech (morning) –Disorganized, written, deceitful, blasphemous Socrates’ First Speech (noon) –Organized (begins with definitions), impromptu, lyrical, impious Socrates’ Final Speech (evening) –Organized, beautiful, philosophical, elegant, truthful

Phaedrus and Rhetoric Socrates: “Since it is the function of speech to lead souls by persuasion, he who is to be a rhetorician must know the various forms of soul.” [psyche] –Bronze Soul (merchant) Concerned with “appetites,” earthly delights, commerce, material goods –Silver Soul (soldier) Concerned with honor, glory, military prowess –Gold Soul (philosopher) Concerned with wisdom, truth, and philosophy

Plato’s Notion of the Soul Plato uses a metaphor of a charioteer and two horses to describe the soul. –Love can help us “sprout wings” by reminding us and keeping us focused on the true, godly form of love we vaguely remember seeing before our birth—but we must resist our bestial urges which drag us down. Sex and Lust = Bad Inspired by Beauty = Good

The Human Soul Charioteer -lover of wisdom *true philosopher White Horse -noble and handsome -follows commands *loves nobility & honor Black Horse -wild, strong & ugly -unwilling to follow commands *loves appetites & lusts

Types of “Good Madness” Prophecy Ritual (religious) Poetic/Artistic (Muses) Love

Good Rhetoric Good rhetoricians must know the truth about the things they talk about. –Even if they want to deceive, a lie is easier to believe if it’s very close to the truth...Thus, rhetoricians must know what they’re talking about. –Best rhetoric: Good rhetoric is to the soul what good medicine is to the body.