The relationship between rhetoric and truth is a very controversial topic. Plato and Nietzsche are two philosophers who discuss this topic. 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 impossible to obtain since individuals are incapable of being completely objective, which renders the debate between rhetoric and truth meaningless. While both views are valid, Nietzsche's argument seems to carry more weight in that he appears to resolve the debate between rhetoric and truth by eliminating absolute truth altogether. To begin with, Plato's view of rhetoric stems from his theory of the nature of known reality. like 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 such as good, justice, and knowledge. These models are the true abstract qualities of these ideas that individuals in the material realm cannot perceive directly with the senses, and therefore everything that exists in the worldly realm is actually an imperfect copy or reflection of these perfect ideals, or absolute. Fundamentally, it's the qualities of an idea that make it what it is. For example, suppose one takes the qualities of a chair and deconstructs all the ideas that exist about what chairs should be, thereby determining what constitutes “chair.” This would eventually eliminate any flaws that a chair might have, and would then result in a perfect chair concept – or an actual model. Also, only someone with a highly skilled paper level......middle......d too? Even if it's all an illusion, it still achieves the same ultimate goal. After all, if people came to know absolute truths, they would probably be unable to understand them or even realize what they are. Perhaps then it is possible that the search for truth is not the right path to happiness and goodness – if these terms have absolute qualities. It may simply be that acting in accordance with the nature of humanity is the path to true contentment, and that the only truth is that humanity lives in a world built solely on subjective reality, and that rhetoric and language are only part of this nature. .Works CitedOn truth and lies in a non-moral sense, Nietzsche. United States of America: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2001. 1171-1179. PrintGorgias, Plato. United States of America: Bedford/St. Martin, 2001. 87-138. Print