Plato’s Phaedrus: an Exercise in Good ‘Deceptive’ Rhetoric

Abstract

In this article I intend to show that what Socrates attempts to do to Phaedrus along the entire dialogue is nothing but persuade him by using that ‘genuine rhetoric’ (which implies the knowledge of both dialectics and psychology) that is described in the second part of this work. Tensions, revalry and jelousy at the initial scene present a couple of interlocutors who have intellectual and emotional opposing perspectives. Persuasion takes place through a series of gradual ‘deceptive’ strategic steps (as Socrates cannot reveal his game from the start). Agreements, even partial, are required to keep the dialogue alive. Though Socrates also introduces ‘new’ notions, they go unnoticed to a Phaedrus obsessed with Socrates imitating his beloved Lysias. But Socrates decides to cut the game and cross the river. This provokes changes in both characters. All of a sudden Phaedrus is ready to listen to Socrates (who tells him the myth of the winged chariot) while Socrates reveals himself as capable of ‘enchanting’ Phaedrus with the beauty of the myth on the one hand, and of overcoming his own fear of becoming ‘a devouring beast’ at the same time. In the end Socrates shows Phaedrus his game in order to let him realize how it has been possible to reach a real philosophical dialogue where reciprocal teaching and learning can take place.