Hugs and Harassment

According to Gorgias, we are not to be held accountable for our actions, should the reasoning—logical or not—be sound enough for acceptance.  Though Helen had and utilized her agency, Gorgias argued in her defense.  It must be noted, however, that words are not the only means of persuasion, though they are often the keys used to these other means of getting someone to behave in any particular way desired. 

A potentially deadly creature, the stingray can be soothed
and converted by a calculated touch.

In his defense of Helen, Gorgias argued that Love, the goddess, was to blame.  Helen was not to be held accountable for her actions, as she, a mere mortal, had become subject to the power of the divine.  Being a member of the Church, I find that reasoning absolutely ridiculous.  Helen had her agency—initially at least for sure—but compromised it for whatever reasoning she had, logical or illogical.  Though, I do suppose that in the particular setting and culture in which Helen was the topic of debate, Gorgias must have seemed a master of reasoning and persuasion. 

Thinking back to my own experiences on the topic of persuasion without logic, my mind brings me to that of my girlfriend and my three younger brothers.  Even though my brothers and I are all related, my girlfriend approaches persuading us in different ways.  If, say, she wishes to play a certain videogame with my brothers, she will (as mentioned in one of the previous posts) instill fear by means of harsh words and exercise dominion through her seniority.  On the other hand, my girlfriend is younger than, shorter than, and in a much different relationship with me as opposed to my brothers.  When she wants me to start on a new game server with her, the approach is one of cooing, cuteness, and coaxing ever so cleverly.  Both approaches are different, neither are especially logical, and yet, both are impressively effective.