Publication Details

Abstract

In 489e3-491d3 of Plato’s Gorgias one can find various derivatives of the adjective “wise” (phronimos) in two Callicles’ cardinal triads. In the first triad he adds two comparatives: “better” and “superior”. In the second triad he adds “manly” to “superior”. These triads represent the necessary characteristics of a true ruler, which enable him to rule appropriately as well as to fulfill the strictly hedonistic claim “to have more”. Socrates tries to persuade Callicles that there is no direct proportion between “to be wise” and “having more”. Socrates uses various examples to show him that his connecting “wise” with the principle of “having more” could bring about the unacceptable identifying the claim of being “wise” with techné.