Salient Excerpts from Isocrates' "Antidosis"

Isocrates speaks to defend himself from those inside and even outside of his profession who thought poorly of him. He address those who were jealous of him and who held false opinions of his character in an effort to display the truth about his character, life, and education. His method to make the crowd like him again was to compose a discourse about his life, effectively eulogizing himself even while declaring he is covering more than a eulogy would.

Man is different from animal because humans, in Isocrates’ opinion, have the power to persuade others. Our ability to a desire and to create that same desire in others has enabled the foundation of cities, laws, and art. Isocrates claims that all inventions and institutions of man were made possible by the power of speech. This power is also used internally, and Isocrates defines the powerful persuader as one who speaks well in front of a crowd and the sage as the one who speaks and debates wisely in their own mind because speech guides even thoughts.

I certainly agree that I have the power to persuade myself. I talk to myself all the time and persuade myself to get out of bed, to encourage my friends, to write down homework assignments and then do them, to go to work, and to strive to make wise decisions. I’m awful at restaurants because I debate every menu option so carefully through conversation in my mind that my companions could have ordered three times by the time I come to a conclusion. This is probably the mark of being annoying and not wise.

And though I do agree that humans are different from animals, it would seem that my puppy certainly has the ability to persuade. Every night after dinner, she sits by the door waiting to go on a walk. Anytime I pass by, she’ll come over, nudge my leg and nod toward where her leash hangs. If I ignore her sweet persuasion, the ten pound puppy will yip, bark, and then growl until I decide to finally take her. Her wordless persuasion is significant, but it could be because I’ve simply conditioned her to expect walks after dinner. Furthermore, walking is different from creating a city or painting a masterpiece, and a puppy’s law book might not aid in justice to a human society (squirrels would certainly be victims of prejudice before a puppy’s law).

Offering his stance on education, Isocrates seems to value the skill of argument in all subjects, especially astronomy and geometry. When the details of these specific subjects are studied and thought over well, the mind expands and is able to grasp more difficult (and important) subjects more quickly because the mind has been trained.

Though this is true, Isocrates would not call something that does not help speech or actions “philosophy.” Instead, he calls it “gymnastic of the mind” and a pathway to philosophy. In preparation for philosophy, students should study a variety of disciplines without allowing their minds to wither in the barren details.

I agree that studying any subject is a good preparation for studying other subjects because learning how to apply your mind to a new area teaches better mind application. This seems to be the purpose of liberal arts education. I also agree that one can get bogged down in math and forget that they are on a path way to another study, but I do think there are more cross-overs between subjects than is often assumed. This becomes evident when someone studies multiple subjects or collaborates well between fields of education.

Isocrates moves from discussing studies to a definition and explanation on “wisdom” and “philosophy.” A wise man is one who is able to think through the options and arrive at the best choice and the philosopher fills his time by studying that which will help him become wise. Pleading that listeners not judge him without full consideration, Isocrates claims that art that can insert justice and honesty in depravity is nonexistent. But he does believe that if people desire to speak well and persuade, then they can become better. And those who wish to become good speakers speak on worthy topics that are marks of a good character. An honorable name is important in persuasion because their words are more significant than one who lacks esteem and speaks without backing up his words with any actions.

I do agree that art alone cannot right the wrongs, but art in all of its forms is a very powerful communicator on the path to honesty. This reminds me of Gorgias’s Encomium of Helen’s argument that words are a drug that can both heal and hurt. While I agree on and individual level that I am more likely to be persuaded by speakers I trust because I know their character, it is often much more difficult to know a true character today. In individual situations where people I actually know persuade me of something, it is different, but many of today’s speakers are such public figures that their persuasion of character is just as much a part of their persuasion as a whole. Singer/songwriter Jon Troast has a song titled “I want to be the president” that opens, “I don’t know who I should vote for cause I’ve only seen them talking on tv. But I’ve never met their mothers, never had the chance to tell them what I think. I don’t know which one is better, each one says the other wouldn’t serve us well… I wish that I had known them when they were in school and not so good at looking good.” Though there is a difficulty in determining character, the efforts of speakers to persuade audiences of their character (and demean the characters of potential opponents) demonstrate that Isocrates’ point still remains true.

Isocrates believes Athens is in a confused state; some people use words against their meanings and apply them to vile ambitions. The characterization of philosophers fall into this category, as those who ignore practicality but study sophist are philosophers but those who study practical application for government. I think of the word “literally” today and how some bemoan its multiple meanings and make their beliefs known to all who ever use “literally” figuratively, some accept the added dictionary definition that “literally” can now mean “figuratively,” and some literally do not know or care. The definition of philosophy seems to have higher stakes, but if little definition differences still stir people today, then I understand Isocrates’ point.

Finally, Isocrates assures the crowd that his students are not among those foolish youth who waste away their lives in parties, gambling, drinking-bouts, and folly so he should, at the very least, be thanked for this much. This just seems funny as the complaint against education and the youth remains all these years after Isocrates.

#GreekRhetoric #Isocrates