Jowett: Rhetoric

Rhetoric, the art of persuasion, Phaedr. 259 E foil. (cp. Rep.   2. 365 D); has no true knowledge of the subjects with which it deals, Phaedr. 268; concerned, only with probabilities, ib. 272, 273; defined by Gorgias as the art of discourse, Gorg. 449; the artificer of persuasion about the just and unjust, ib. 453-455 (cp. Theaet. 167 C ; Laws 11.937 E); power of, Gorg. 456, 466 (cp. Apol. 17 A; Menex. 235 A); defended by Gorgias, Gorg. 457 ; is most potent with the ignorant, ib. 459; defined by Socrates   as the shadow of a part of politics, ib. 462 foil.; useful only in discovering injustice, ib. 480;—rhetoric and flattery, ib. 462, 501, 503 ; — rhetoric and justice, ib. 460, 527 C ;—rhetoric and poetry, ib. 502;—rhetoric and politics, Statesm. 304;—rhetoric and psychology, Phaedr. 271;— rhetoric and sophistry, Gorg. 520;—art of rhetoric, according to books, Phaedr. 266, 269 (cp. Gorg. 448 D, 471 E); professors of rhetoric, Phaedr. 266 ; Rep. 2. 365 D ; rhetoric of Nestor, [Gorgias], Odysseus, [Theodorus or Thrasymachus], Palamedes, [Zeno  ], Phaedr. 261 ;—rhetoric at Athens, Gorg. 502, 503 :—the true art of rhetoric based on an exact analysis of the soul, Phaedr. 269 E foil., 277; requires a knowledge of the truth, ib. 262 (cp. 273); division of subject-matter necessary, ib. 263 ; definition, division, and generalization required, ib. 264-266; distinguished from dialectic, ib. 266, 369 (cp. Gorg. 448 D, 471 E); aims at the improvement of the souls of the citizens, Gorg. 503.

Soc. Will you understand my answer ? Rhetoric, according to my view, is the ghost or counterfeit of a part of politics. GORGIAS

Soc. Rhetoric is like medicine. PHAEDRUS  

Str. Rhetoric seems to be quickly distinguished from politics, being a different species, yet ministering to it. STATESMAN