Abstract

The aim of this paper is to show the philosophical relevance of Gorgias' critique of Parmenides on language and reality. He not only manages to argue for a complete separation of discourse from, being, but also proves that one cannot be thought without the other. His message on the Peri tou me ontos should be read on par with the Helen, thus advancing beyond a mere eristical display of virtuosity at the expense of Parmenides’ thesis. In the Sophist Plato showed how well he had understood the philosophical acumen of his reasoning despite the fact that his critique of Gorgias missed one or two of his most interesting points.