Knack vs Craft in Gorgias
In the book Gorgias Socrates finds himself in an argument with Polus and Gorgias about whether oratory is a knack or a craft. Socrates’ opinion is that oratory is not a craft but rather a knack. When looking at the distinction between a knack and a craft it is commonly agreed upon that a knack is simply something that one is instinctively better at than others and a craft is a skill that one acquires through pursuit. With this said, the distinction that Socrates makes between a knack and a craft is a much deeper and more abstract one. Socrates argues that a knack is part of a shameful practice, that practice being flattery, and is only in accordance with what is most pleasant at the time, where as a craft deals with fitness of the body and soul and takes into consideration what is the best overall decision (Plato 24,25). When it comes to Socrates’ explanation of a knack he makes it clear that he believes it is part of a shameful practice that involves flattery. According to Socrates there are four parts that flattery is comprised of. These parts are pastry baking, cosmetics, oratory and sophistry. Each one of these four aspects of flattery has its own counter part, and these counter parts are what Socrates says comprises a craft. Socrates’ explanation of a craft is the fitness of both the body and soul that is in accordance with what is best for one’s well being. The fitness of the body refers to gymnastics and medicine where as the fitness of the soul refers to politics, which consists of legislation and justice. Medicine is the counter part to pastry baking,
gymnastics is the counter part to cosmetics, justice is the counter part to oratory and legislation is the counter part to sophistry (Plato 25). After making these relationships clear Socrates then explains that each part of flattery “masks itself with its counter part and pretends to be the characteristics of the mask” (Plato 25). Each of the four parts of flattery has no
gymnastics is the counter part to cosmetics, justice is the counter part to oratory and legislation is the counter part to sophistry (Plato 25). After making these relationships clear Socrates then explains that each part of flattery “masks itself with its counter part and pretends to be the characteristics of the mask” (Plato 25). Each of the four parts of flattery has no
Cited: Plato, and Donald Zeyl. Gorgias. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett, 1987. Print.