The influence of Plato's developing psychology on his views of rhetoric

This essay attempts to increase our understanding of Plato's views on rhetoric by associating them with his developing psychology. In his early “Socratic” period, Plato endorsed a “cognitive” psychology; but in his middle period, he adopted a “conflict” psychology. This essay (1) traces the genesis of his conflict psychology, and (2) documents the influence of this genesis on his discussion of rhetoric in the Gorgias and Phaedrus.