Gorgias

Agora

Gorgias

c. 483–376 BCE

A first way ina deliberate simplification – the portrait says more

Nothing can be proven to exist, be known or be communicated – which makes persuasive speech, not truth, the real power over people.

Placement

Ancient Greek · Southern Europe · Language, Epistemology

Sophist and master of rhetoric from Leontini: nothing exists; if it did, it could not be known; if known, it could not be communicated.

Key ideas

On Non-Being
The power of speech (logos)
Rhetoric

Students: Antisthenes

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Influence

Influenced by 3

Parmenides

influenced by
In On Not-Being Gorgias turned Parmenides’ form of argument against Eleatic being: nothing is; if it were, it could not be known; if known, not communicated. Sextus Empiricus, Against the Logicians I.65–87; pseudo-Aristotle, On Melissus, Xenophanes and Gorgias; IEP “Gorgias”
Evidence: AI draft
Parmenides › c. 515–450 BCE
Empedocles

influenced by ✓
In Plato’s Meno Socrates defines colour ‘in the manner of Gorgias’ with Empedocles’ effluences and pores; ancient tradition makes Gorgias Empedocles’ pupil (Meno 76c–e; Diogenes Laertius VIII.58). Plato, Meno 76c–e; Diogenes Laertius VIII.58 (Satyrus); IEP “Gorgias”
Evidence: also in Wikidata · Wikidata · InPhO
Empedocles › c. 494–434 BCE
Zeno of Elea

influenced by
Gorgias’ On Not-Being reworked Zeno’s method of deriving contradictions from a thesis; the version in the pseudo-Aristotelian MXG draws on arguments of Zeno and Melissus. pseudo-Aristotle, On Melissus, Xenophanes and Gorgias (Gorgias section); R. Ioli, ‘Between Eleatics and Atomists: Gorgias’ Argument against Motion’, Archai 31 (2021); IEP “Gorgias”
Evidence: AI draft
Zeno of Elea › c. 490–430 BCE

Influenced 1

Antisthenes taught

taught later tradition
Known only from later tradition (Diogenes Laertius 6.1), which ties it to the rhetorical style of his dialogues; the report may be an inference from that style. Diogenes Laertius 6.1
Evidence: AI draft
Antisthenes › c. 445–365 BCE

Works

c. 440 BCEOn Non-Being
Nothing exists; if anything existed, it could not be known; if it could be known, it could not be communicated.
c. 415 BCEEncomium of Helen
A rhetorical showpiece that clears Helen of blame – and praises speech as a “mighty lord”.

Position

In On Non-Being Gorgias turned the arguments of the Eleatics against themselves: nothing exists; if anything existed, it could not be known; and if it could be known, it could not be communicated, since words are not the things they name. Whether this was meant seriously or as brilliant parody remains disputed. His Encomium of Helen praises speech as a “mighty lord” that acts on the soul as drugs act on the body, calming fear, kindling joy and persuading against one’s will. Plato answered him in the dialogue named after him, criticizing rhetoric without knowledge; yet Gorgias’ ornate prose shaped Greek and later European oratory.

Life & context

Gorgias came from Leontini in Sicily and, according to ancient tradition, studied with Empedocles. In 427 BCE he led an embassy from his city to Athens, where his dazzling speeches caused a sensation. He then taught rhetoric for high fees across Greece; Isocrates was among his pupils. He is said to have lived past a hundred and to have died in Thessaly.