Isocrates and Plato: Relativism vs. Idealism

Abstract

This paper is a comparative analysis of the philosophical and rhetorical positions of Isocrates and Plato. Isocrates and his rhetoric have often been referred to, in the pejorative sense, as relativistic. Following the Sophistic tradition of his era, Isocrates does reject the possibility of discovering absolute principles of behavior upon which to conduct human affairs. However, his rhetoric is not opportunistic nor exploitative. Plato's commendation of Isocrates in the Phaedrus suggests that he saw some merit in the program established by Isocrates. Since Plato is a major source of criticism against Sophism and, by extension, Isocrates, a comparison between Isocrates’ relativism and Plato's idealism provides an illuminating insight into the merits of each.