Two forms of punishment in Plato's dialogue Gorgias

Vol.15,No.2(2014)

Anežka Chovanková

https://doi.org/10.5817/pf15-2-1034

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Abstract
The article is dedicated to the problem of myth at the end of the dialogue Gorgias in connection with the function of punishment in Plato´s dialogues. Gorgias is one of the dialogues that are crucial for understanding of the problem of punishment. It may seem that focusing on final eschatological myth, author holds ambiguous view in connection with given questions. There is a contradiction at the level mythos – logos: on the one hand, a remedial purpose of punishment is presented  in the whole dialogue. However, there is a switch at the end and Plato´s eschatological myth presents a view that is distinct at the first sight. Is it possible that a myth opposes Plato´s thesis of remedial purpose of punishment and its retributive character comes to the fore? Otherwise, there is no contradiction at all and particular elements of dialogue fit. The aim of the article is to demonstrate that a change of view on form of punishment and considering punishment as a method elenchos could be the key to understand the relation of mythos – logos in the given dialogue.

Keywords:
Plato; Gorgias; punishment; elenchos; mythos; logos
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