Final answer:
Isocrates valued the craft of public speaking as an essential part of political life and a way to engage in civic education, emphasizing its role in effective communication and the exercise of political power.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Isocrates, the craft of public speaking was a significant art in ancient Greece, essential for success in public and political life. Isocrates understood rhetoric to be more than just a tool for winning arguments or lawsuits; he saw it as an educational process that cultivated judgment and civic engagement. He emphasized the importance of speakers being able to connect with their audience, an idea that persists today in how we value effective communication and oratorical skills. Moreover, Isocrates, alongside his contemporaries, contributed to shaping a cultural environment where rhetorical skill was closely intertwined with the exercise of political power, especially in the context of a democratic Politeia where debate and the ability to persuade were crucial in determining the course of public affairs.