Abstract

I argue in favour of the unity of the Phaedrus following two parallel lines. First by establishing a meaningful relation between Phaedrus' and Socrates' two discourses I Interpret them as steps in the search for that inner beauty which the philosopher asks the god Pan to grant him at the closing of the dialogue. Then the fact that both philosophical and "public" rhetoric join together under psychagogia is shown to stress this link, revealing their common relation to love and desire for beauty. Thus despite being opposed in ends and means they are seen as stemming from the very same source and not as irreconciliable enemies.