Górgias de Leontinos: filósofo, retor, político, e sua retórica do kosmos social

Abstract

The present Dissertation aims to identify the primary function of Gorgias’ rhetoric. We intend to explore the social and political context of the sophistry in 5th century b.C., highlighting the conflicts that occurred due to Plato’s and Aristotle’s criticism toward the sophists. Then we move through 19th century when Hegel interprets Protagoras. With this background established, we propose to identify Gorgias among the sophists, due to the fact that the initial research points out that Gorgias differentiates himself from the others, including Protagoras. Gorgias’ philosophy of education, his performance as rhetor that shook Athens and his political experience as ambassador give us good reasons to advocate that his rhetoric requires from his interlocutors a practical philosophy, connected to the polis, with the clear objective of training capable leaders to make decisions that take in consideration the social order.