Logan Rogers History of Ancient Philosophy 11/10/2017

Gorgias Reading Reflection

1) What are the 3 or 4 most important points or passages in this reading, and why?

a. I think the three most important parts of the reading is (1) Socrates statement on

the connection between Flattery and Oratory with Medicine and Pastry Baking

because it raises a valid distinction between what is good and what only appears

to be good. (2) When Polus asserts that a man who commits evil and isnt caught

is better off than a man who gets caught because it opens up for Socratess most

interestingin my opinionpoint of the entire section. (3) Socratess argument

for why it is better to be punished for evil than to commit it because it is, despite

being confusing, solid logic that makes a kind of sense.

2) What 1 or 2 claims or ideas do I most strongly agree with, and why?

a. I strongly agree with the assessment that a pastry baker would gain more support

amidst the young and/or unlearned than a doctor because it appears to be

beneficial to them more than a doctor does.

b. Other than that I do not really agree or disagree with anything said strongly, I fall

into middle ground between Polus and Socrates on the debate of suffering vs

committing evil; believing that it likely depends on the evil in question and reason

for committing it to decide whether committing or suffering it is worse/better.

3) What 1 or 2 claims or ideas do I most strongly disagree with, and why?

a. Same as above, I did not really have any strong diagreements or agreements with

the meat of the argument other than where stated above. Falling, instead,

somewhere in between.
Logan Rogers History of Ancient Philosophy 11/10/2017

4) What passage most puzzles or confuses me, even after multiple re-readings and

reflection?

a. None, with enough re-reading and discussion within my group I was able to grasp

the reading quite wellat least I think so.