In the book "Gorgias" by Plato the concept of ethics is discussed. Gorgias is a professor of oratory. In the book Gorgias and Socrates are having dinner with some friends. Socrates believes that proper knowledge leads to proper conduct. He also thinks that "One should avoid wrong doing with more care than being done wrong," and that wrong doers must suffer for there actions. He believes that oratory is not an art form.Oratory is the process of speaking. Socrates compares it to cookery. He says that cookery and oratory are both aimed at immediately satisfying the consumer without an attempt at logical reasoning. He s ...view middle of the document...
Socrates says that all wrongdoing is done out of ignorance. That is to say a man robs people because he does not understand the impact his actions have on the economy. Not to mention the general well being of his victims. Socrates believes that this information will make the would-be criminal capable of sympathy. If the thief knew what it was like to have his property taken, he would never do such a thing.Socrates thinks that it is better to suffer wrong than to do wrong. The logic he uses is that happiness comes from virtue and enlightenment. He thinks the experience of having been done wrong builds character. Wrong doers will have guilty consciences. He also maintains that the wrong doer will be caught and punished. Punishment will also lead to enlightenment, according to Socrates.Socrates states that punishment is better for the wrong doer in the end. Socrates believes in the existence of the soul. The soul must be cleansed to lead to enlightenment. Socrates argues that punishment is just. If it is just it must be fine. Then the perpetrator has had a fine thing done to him. The punishment makes the soul clean.Plato wrote a book about Socrates called Gorgias. Socrates was a philosopher who had many opinions on the human condition. Most of these dealt with crime and punishment. Plato knew him personally. The book Gorgias is probably an accurate account of Socrates feelings.
