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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Socrates regard Gorgias' answers as useful?

2. What does Gorgias distinguish as the difference between acquiring knowledge and acquiring a belief?

3. What does Socrates believe he can avoid in being corrected?

4. What description of rhetoric is Gorgias supposed to provide?

5. Where do the men in "Gorgias" meet to discuss rhetoric?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Socrates question Gorgias about rhetoric?

2. Why does Socrates like to argue?

3. Why does Socrates favor Gorgias' answers more than Polus'?

4. Why does Socrates see all advantages as beneficial? Why does he see some wrong actions as just?

5. In terms of ethics, why does Socrates consider rhetoric a dangerous tool?

6. Why does Socrates believe that it is important for a wrongdoer's soul be brought to justice?

7. Why does Socrates compare medicine and gymnastics to legislation and justice?

8. What makes Socrates see punishment (a negative action) as a positive one?

9. Why can the art of rhetoric not impart knowledge, according to Gorgias?

10. In Socrates' opinion, why do rhetoricians and Sophists find it difficult to define themselves?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one man from "Gorgias" to discuss and defend his position.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Socrates' and Callicles' conflict of justice in relation to human nature.

Essay Topic 3

Using examples from the book, take a position on the practice and use of rhetoric.

(see the answer keys)

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