Phaedrus Study Guide

Glossary of Terms

apolis

Outside or removed from the city (polis). Thematically, as in the Phaedrus, apolis often opposes the rational order of the city with a disorder or madness.

ecstasy

Great happiness; an older meaning is of a frenzy, pointing to distress or enchantment, as if one were "standing outside oneself" (from the Greek ekstasis, ek = out, stasis = standing).

elenchus

A refutation based on logic. The Socratic elenchus refers to a series of questions and answers designed to elicit the truth but which generally just refute an incorrect argument without reaching the truth.

epideictic

A form of speech that displays rhetorical skill for its showy or exhibitionist character; a kind of rhetoric aimed at showing the qualities of a subject rather than at making plans.

etiology

The reason behind an occurrence; the cause or causes of a disease or condition; why something is what it is.

logos

an Ancient Greek term meaning "word" or "speech" or "argument," pointing to principles of logic and reason.

paean

A hymn or song of praise or triumph.

pederasty

A sexual relationship between an older man and a younger boy, particularly common in Ancient Greece.

polis

A city or city-state in Ancient Greece. Thematically, the polis is associated with rationality and order (as opposed to apolis, or what lies outside the city).

summum bonum

The greatest or highest good.