Lesser Hippias by Plato (347)
In Plato's dialogue Lesser Hippias, Socrates and Hippias, a sophist, discuss the nature of beauty and the value of knowledge. Hippias claims that beauty is the most important thing in life, and that knowledge is not as valuable as it is often thought to be. Socrates challenges Hippias' views, arguing that knowledge is more important than beauty, and that beauty is only valuable when it is combined with knowledge. The two then discuss the nature of truth and the value of rhetoric. Hippias argues that rhetoric is a valuable tool for persuasion, while Socrates argues that rhetoric is only useful when it is combined with knowledge. The dialogue ends with Hippias conceding that knowledge is more important than beauty, and that rhetoric is only useful when it is combined with knowledge.
By Plato · First published 347 · Genre: Philosophy, Classical Literature, Drama · 5,944 words
First lines
PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE: Eudicus, Socrates, Hippias.
EUDICUS: Why are you silent, Socrates, after the magnificent display which Hippias has been making? Why do you not either refute his words, if he seems to you to have been wrong in any point, or join with us in commending him? There is the more reason why you should speak, because we are now alone, and the audience is confined to those who may fairly claim to take part in a philosophical discussion.
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Lesser Hippias is listed on Textopian as an essay by Plato, dated 347 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Plato
- Date: 347 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophy, Classical Literature, Drama
- Length: 5,944 words
- Structure: 1 section, 241 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Philosophy — Lesser Hippias is a dialogue written by Plato, a renowned philosopher. The dialogue is between Socrates and Hippias and focuses on the nature of virtue and the definition of beauty.
- Classical Literature — Lesser Hippias is a classic work of literature written by Plato, one of the most influential figures in Western philosophy. The dialogue is written in a style that is characteristic of classical literature.
- Drama — Lesser Hippias is a dialogue between Socrates and Hippias, and is written in a dramatic style. The dialogue is full of rhetorical questions and philosophical musings, making it a work of drama.
Tags
Ancient · Classical literature · Philosophy · achilles · answer · appears · art · bad · calculation · eudicus · evil · false