Gorgias

This edition of Plato's dialogue Gorgias contains the acclaimed translation by scholar of classics, Benjamin Jowett. 

Together with the principle dialogue, this book possesses a lengthy introduction and explanation of the text itself and of the mythology which Plato drew upon to expound his philosophic ideas and thoughts. 

As in most of the Platonic dialogues, we witness Socrates engaging in conversation in order to reach conclusions about a specific idea or topic. In the case of Gorgias, the philosopher is attempting to discover the meaning behind the term 'rhetoric'. To accomplish this aim, Socrates has attended a dinner party with a group of Sophists, who were teachers of oratory and rhetoric in ancient Greek times. 

In arguing against the prevailing definition of rhetoric as an art form, Socrates advances the argument that it is philosophy that is truly artful, in that a speaker with philosophical education may use this to imbue his words with a genuine aim to doing good. This pure devotion to the betterment of the society is contrasted against flattery and speech of ill moral intent, which Socrates believes comprises most oratory in ancient Athens.