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How does Plato criticize rhetoric and political propaganda in Gorgias?

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The Greek philosopher Plato — Plato Plato, marble portrait bust copied from an original of the 4th century bce; in the Capitoline Museums, Rome.

In the dialogue Gorgias, Plato presents a sharp critique of rhetoric, arguing that it is not a genuine art or discipline but rather a mere "knack" of flattery.1

Plato’s Socrates contends that while the arts of the legislator and the judge are concerned with the true health of the soul, rhetoric functions by prioritizing what is pleasant over what is actually good. By appealing to the desires and emotions of a heterogeneous audience rather than to objective truth or moral virtue, rhetoric acts as a form of political manipulation.12

In this context, Plato characterizes the rhetorician as someone who counterfeits wisdom to gain influence, effectively using language to bypass the need for genuine knowledge. This critique serves to highlight the ethical danger of political discourse that seeks only to persuade or manipulate, rather than to improve the moral character of the citizens or the state. Ultimately, Plato maintains that true philosophy must be grounded in truth and wisdom, standing in direct opposition to the deceptive practices of those who use rhetoric to secure power.123