Socrates argues that someone who can do whatever they want, such as a tyrant, can nonetheless lack power

The paper should be on a prompt about the Gorgias.

Prompt options:

Prompt option 1: Socrates argues that someone who can do whatever they want, such as a tyrant, can nonetheless lack power. However, Socrates does not say much about what sort of person would be powerful. What is a definition of power that you think Socrates would accept? What is an example of a powerful person, according to that definition of power? Do you yourself think that definition is reasonable and the example is genuine?

In the first ~1-2 paragraphs, give a definition of power that you think Socrates would accept, and provide evidence from the Gorgias that suggests Socrates would accept it. You must correctly cite the text.

In ~1 paragraph, give an example of someone who you think has great power, according to the above definition. Be sure to clarify how this person conforms to your definition of someone with great power.

In ~2-3 paragraphs, either criticize the earlier definition of ‘power’ or defend it from a possible objection. 

Prompt option 2: In the Gorgias, Gorgias and Socrates agree that Gorgias ‘produces the persuasion that comes from being convinced, and not the persuasion that comes from teaching, concerning what’s just and unjust’ (Gorgias, 455a). Drawing on the Euthyphro and the Gorgias, how do you think knowledge about justice and injustice differs from mere conviction about justice and injustice? Do you agree with Socrates and Gorgias that an orator cannot ‘teach such a large gathering about matters so important in a short time’ (Gorgias, 455a) ?

• In ~1-2 paragraphs, explain the distinction from the Gorgias between the persuasion that leads to conviction and the persuasion that leads to knowledge, citing the text and providing your own examples.
• In ~2~3 paragraphs, based on the Euthyphro and/or the Gorgias, explain how you think knowledge about justice and injustice would differ from mere conviction about justice and injustice. I am looking for an answer that goes beyond the mere fact that knowledge must be true while conviction can be either true or false.
• In ~1-2 paragraphs, and in light of your prior discussion on the difference between knowledge and conviction, explain whether you agree or disagree that it is impossible to teach a large gathering of people about justice and injustice in a short time

Prompt option 3: In the Gorgias, Socrates argues that it is better for someone who has committed an injustice to be punished for their injustice, and that this is preferable to avoiding punishment. Explain Socrates argument for this view and either criticize or defend it.

In ~2-3 paragraphs, explain why Socrates’ thinks it is better for someone who has committed injustice to be punished for their injustice than to avoid punishment. You must correctly cite the text.

In ~2-3 paragraphs, either criticize Socrates’ argument or defend it from a possible counterexample

– Each prompt is roughly divided into two parts. The first part asks you to explain some argument or claim made in a Platonic dialogue. The second part asks you to defend, criticize, or otherwise evaluate some aspect of that argument or claim.

– Your paper needs to be focused and concise, and should be roughly 900 – 1,500 words long. (?3-4 pages). Please use 12pt Times New Roman font, double spaced, with 1-inch margins on all sides.  Your paper should include your name and a title. Due to the length constraints, please omit an introduction and conclusion. Immediately begin the paper by addressing the first task listed in your chosen prompt, and proceed from there.

Full Citations: 

Full citations include author name (Plato), dialogue name, Stephanus number & letter, and translator name. You can usually find the translator name on the first page of the assigned dialogues.

Here are examples of quotations with proper full citations from the Gorgias:

“Does it follow that injustice, and doing what it unjust, is the worst thing there is?” (Plato, Gorgias 479c, translated by Zeyl)