Dialogue

 1 Intro|         attempt to discover the definition of knowledge is in accordance
 2 Intro|   knowledge until the nature of definition has been ascertained. Having
 3 Intro|        to analyze (1) the first definition which Theaetetus proposes: ‘
 4 Intro|    length, and for a moment the definition appears to be accepted.
 5 Intro|         3), ‘True opinion, with definition or explanation.’ But all
 6 Intro|  suppose that Plato conceived a definition of knowledge to be impossible.
 7 Intro|       up within the limits of a definition. If he has analyzed a proposition
 8 Intro|       more. Theaetetus offers a definition which he has heard: Knowledge
 9 Intro|     true opinion accompanied by definition or explanation. Socrates
10 Intro|        are names only, and that definition or explanation begins when
11 Intro|   accompanied by explanation or definition.’ Explanation may mean, (
12 Intro|       be a third meaning of the definition, besides the image or expression
13 Intro|       nor true opinion, nor yet definition accompanying true opinion.
14 Intro|       now proceed to look for a definition of knowledge in the sphere
15 Intro|     reason why he seeks for the definition of knowledge first in the
16 Intro|          of a proposition and a definition? And is not the confusion
17 Intro|     attempts to explain the new definition of knowledge still remain
18 Intro|         whole. But this is only definition accompanied with right opinion,
19 Intro|  particulars is endless; such a definition would be based on no principle,
20 Intro|        to answer to the logical definition by genus and difference.
21  Thea|    sorts of knowledge under one definition.~THEAETETUS: I can assure
22  Thea|     SOCRATES: And if our recent definition holds, every man knows that
23  Thea|      you do not.~SOCRATES: What definition will be most consistent
24  Thea|         be described, and had a definition of their own, they would
25  Thea|       names is the essence of a definition. Thus, then, the elements
26  Thea|     true opinion, combined with definition or rational explanation,
27  Thea|         be knowledge apart from definition and true opinion? And yet
28  Thea|    saying that syllables have a definition, but that letters have no
29  Thea|        but that letters have no definition?~THEAETETUS: I think so.~
30  Thea|        O.~SOCRATES: That is the definition which you would give of
31  Thea|         would give me a similar definition of the S.~THEAETETUS: But
32  Thea|       have a sound only, but no definition at all.~SOCRATES: Then,
33  Thea|    compounded there could be no definition, because each of them when
34  Thea|     right opinion with rational definition or explanation is the most
35  Thea|       right opinion united with definition or explanation, which does
36  Thea|         fancied to be a perfect definition of knowledge is a dream
37  Thea| elements. But what is the third definition?~SOCRATES: There is, further,
38  Thea|        me any example of such a definition?~SOCRATES: As, for example,
39  Thea|     affirm, you will get at the definition or explanation of it; but
40  Thea|          you will only have the definition of those things to which
41  Thea|        you, and your account of definition is in my judgment correct.~
42  Thea|       and if to this I add your definition, then I have knowledge,
43  Thea|  THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: The definition was assumed to be the interpretation
44  Thea|       in speaking of adding the definition, had used the word to ‘know,’
45  Thea|        maintains, is adding the definition.~THEAETETUS: That seems
46  Thea|       nor true opinion, nor yet definition and explanation accompanying