The relationship between rhetoric and truth is a highly contentious topic. Two philosophers who discuss this topic are Plato and Nietzsche. Plato argues that rhetoric is simply a useful craft that deals only with the subjective, material world rather than the pursuit of true knowledge. Nietzsche, on the other hand, argues that absolute truths are unattainable because individuals are incapable of being completely objective, thus rendering the debate between rhetoric and truth meaningless. While both are valid views, Nietzsche's argument seems to carry more weight insofar as it appears to resolve the debate between rhetoric and truth by eliminating absolute truth altogether. To begin with, Plato's view of rhetoric derives from his theory of the nature of known reality. as Platonic realism. He argues that there are true forms of ideas that exist in a higher realm of being and thought. Essentially, there is a perfect model for every idea in the universe, including concepts like good, justice, and knowledge. These patterns are the true abstract qualities of these ideas that individuals of the material realm cannot directly perceive with the senses, and therefore everything that exists in the mundane realm is actually an imperfect copy or reflection of those perfect, or absolute, ideals. Fundamentally, it is the qualities of an idea that make it what it is. For example, suppose we take the qualities of a chair and deconstruct all existing ideas about what chairs should be, thus determining what constitutes “chair.” This would ultimately eliminate any flaws a chair might have, ultimately resulting in the concept of the perfect chair – or an actual model. Also, just someone with a highly qualified......middle of paper......d as well? Even if everything is an illusion, it still achieves the same end goal. After all, if people were to know absolute truths, they probably wouldn't be able to understand them or even realize what they are about. Perhaps then it is possible that the search for truth is the wrong path to achieving happiness and goodness, provided that these terms have absolute qualities. The case could simply be that acting in accordance with humanity's nature is the path to true contentment, and that the only truth is that humanity lives in a world built solely on subjective reality, and rhetoric and language are just part of that nature. .Works citedOn truth and lies in an extramoral sense, Nietzsche. United States of America: Bedford/St.Martin's, 2001. 1171-1179. PrintGorgia, Plato. United States of America: Bedford/St. Martin, 2001. 87-138. Press