Book description
Taking the form of a dialogue between Socrates, Gorgias, Polus and
Callicles, GORGIAS debates perennial questions about the nature of
government and those who aspire to public office.
Are high moral standards essential or should we give our preference
to the pragmatist who gets things done or negotiates successfully?
Should individuals be motivated by a desire for personal power and
prestige, or genuine concern for the moral betterment of the citizens?
These questions go to the heart of Athenian democratic principles
and are more relevant than ever in today's political climate.
Walter Hamilton taught at Cambridge, Eton and Rugby and translated
several Platonic texts for Penguin.
Chris Emlyn-Jones teaches in the department of Classical Studies at
the Open University and has published on Homer and Plato.
