NASARA JOURNAL OF PHILOSOPHY

This paper argues that in his pursuit of the meaning of sôphrosynê (sound-mindedness) in Charmides, Socrates deployed two abusive ad hominem in 161c and in 162b against the person of Charmides. This paper undertakes a hermeneutical study of Socratic ad hominem in Charmides and demonstrates that Socrates' deployment of ad hominem raises the problem of motive and justification, and is counterproductive.

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