Final answer:
Gorgias valued public speaking as the most important of arts due to its profound ability to sway public opinion and determine the outcome of debates in civic life, particularly in ancient Greek society where public performance and persuasive oratory were critical for political and social influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gorgias, a Greek Sophist, considered public speaking the most important of the arts because he believed it had the power to persuade and influence public opinion and action. This tradition traces back to ancient Greece where rhetoric and the art of oration were highly valued skills, particularly for civic participation. In environments like the Athenian democracy, where leaders had to convince their peers and the public of the correctness of their positions through oratory, the mastery of words was fundamental to political and social influence.
This emphasis on public discourse as a critical component of society can be seen in the works of other philosophers like Aristotle, who underscored the value of rational debate and deliberation concerning the common good. Moreover, the Greek culture highlighted the importance of a person's public performance in various domains, such as the military, athletic competitions, and public forums of debate, which was all part of pursuing excellence and avoiding the shame of failure.
The aptitude to form a connection with an audience and sway the collective will was considered an art form that could lead to societal progress by moving toward fulfilling the human potential through reasoned dialogue about community matters.