Sophist or Philosopher? Manipulation of Logos in Gorgias’ “On Non-Existence” and “Encomium of Helen”

Gorgias’ “On Non-Existence” poses two main questions for human communication: in what way does speech (logos) exist, and how can humans perceive and interpret linguistic stimuli. In response to these problems, the “Encomium of Helen” outlines a system for communication based on the psychological reactions of humans. In this system, logos appeals to the psyche “informationally,” creating proto-semiotic emotional meaning analogous to Classical medicinal theory.