Final answer:
Gorgias defined rhetoric as the art of persuasion, a skill focused more on influence than on truth, and crucial for leadership and public debate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gorgias, a preeminent Greek Sophist, initially defined rhetoric as the art of persuasion. He emphasized rhetoric's ability to shape public opinion and debate, especially through the spoken word. Unlike the pursuit of philosophical truth, Gorgias and his contemporaries focused on the practical skill of persuasion, often prioritizing influence over truth.
Rhetoric, from its early conception in ancient Greece, was seen as an essential skill for leadership and civic engagement. Famous figures like Aristotle further developed the concept of rhetoric, recognizing it not only as an art form but also as a crucial component in the study of how language can influence thoughts and actions.
In sum, rhetoric provided individuals with the tools to motivate an audience to action, largely through persuasive language that appeals to ethics, logic, emotions, and the timeliness of an argument.