Candace Saindon, Plato's World of Warcraft

Plato's World of Warcraft

Plato claims rhetoric persuades unfairly. Instead, he lays out the guidelines to leading a just life. However, Plato’s dialogue lacks the modernity of current forms. Pictures, television, video games, etc. inform the average 2010 consumer instead of dry lectures in book form. Creating contemporary artwork to represent Plato’s way to live life, without rhetoric, in a comic book/video game format preserves Plato’s message while illuminating modern differences.

Socrates uses doctors, thieves, and kings to argue, but doesn’t include CEO’s and presidents. Today we find professions and technology that Plato couldn’t fathom. Plato’s basic philosophy, living a righteous life, reaches through time. But as the comic proves, living an honorable life doesn’t always return to the individual positively. Each page argues Plato’s argument through the character Platonious. The comic tells the story of Aquena, who is robbed and killed. When Reyastus robs Aquena, he uses rhetoric to convince the guards of his innocence, and blames Aquena for the robbery. She does not persuade the guards and remains honorable, but loses gold. At Sholazar Basin, Platonious states that the Gods will reward her after death. Unfortunately, Aquena looks the same after death, and the comic ends without knowing her fate. Both times Plato’s philosophy fails Aquena, but the audience still retains Plato’s arguments.  This allows for the viewers to consider Plato’s case, and discuss the pros/cons.

Gorgias and Plato’s World of Warcraft, use dialogue examples to explain points. Combining the video game world with the comic book format modernizes Plato’s concept by using current technology while conveying the same issues. Reyastus robbing Aquena parallels Socrates’ example of a thief. Instead of writing about people from hundreds of years ago, the comic illustrates elves and other creatures. This example demonstrates the point of rhetoric giving criminals an upper hand, and conveys the message in a more appealing way to viewers. After Aquena and her friend die, their spirits remain nearly identical to their body forms. The narrative ends without seeing Aquena judged by the Gods or knowing her fate. This design connects with real life, as nobody knows what happens after we die. Plato’s belief in separating the body from the soul may not relate to other faiths, similar to the virtual world not fitting with his view.

The comic book format renews Plato’s argument of living better. Socrates’ discusses living a just life while convincing Callicles and Gorgias of rhetoricians seeking to persuade individuals unfairly. Plato’s World of Warcraft conveys Plato’s message while including examples to allow discussion from viewers. Aquena’s journey tests Plato’s beliefs first-hand, and places viewers in the mind of a fictitious character, just like Plato’s Socrates.