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(...) Theaetetus
     Part
1001 Text |         experience to which I refer.~THEAETETUS: Pray what is it?~SOCRATES:
1002 Text |             over again in a new way.~THEAETETUS: Begin again, Socrates,—
1003 Text |              great deal imperfectly.~THEAETETUS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: Well,
1004 Text |            distinction between them?~THEAETETUS: We certainly say so.~SOCRATES:
1005 Text |           with our present question.~THEAETETUS: There can be no doubt,
1006 Text |              knows or does not know?~THEAETETUS: He must.~SOCRATES: He who
1007 Text |          does not know, cannot know?~THEAETETUS: Of course.~SOCRATES: What
1008 Text |          same time ignorant of both?~THEAETETUS: That, Socrates, is impossible.~
1009 Text |            example, he knows neither Theaetetus nor Socrates, and yet he
1010 Text |              and yet he fancies that Theaetetus is Socrates, or Socrates
1011 Text |             is Socrates, or Socrates Theaetetus?~THEAETETUS: How can he?~
1012 Text |              or Socrates Theaetetus?~THEAETETUS: How can he?~SOCRATES: But
1013 Text |            know to be what he knows?~THEAETETUS: That would be monstrous.~
1014 Text |           false opinion is excluded.~THEAETETUS: Most true.~SOCRATES: Suppose
1015 Text |              of being and not-being.~THEAETETUS: What do you mean?~SOCRATES:
1016 Text |            be the state of his mind?~THEAETETUS: That, again, is not unlikely,
1017 Text |       suppose some one to say to us, Theaetetus:—Is it possible for any
1018 Text |             That will be our answer?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: But is there
1019 Text |          there any parallel to this?~THEAETETUS: What do you mean?~SOCRATES:
1020 Text |       something and yet see nothing?~THEAETETUS: Impossible.~SOCRATES: But
1021 Text |           among non-existing things?~THEAETETUS: I do not.~SOCRATES: He
1022 Text |             sees something which is?~THEAETETUS: Clearly.~SOCRATES: And
1023 Text |             and hears that which is?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: And he who
1024 Text |             is one and therefore is?~THEAETETUS: That again is true.~SOCRATES:
1025 Text |        thinks, think some one thing?~THEAETETUS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: And
1026 Text |            think something which is?~THEAETETUS: I agree.~SOCRATES: Then
1027 Text |              not, thinks of nothing?~THEAETETUS: Clearly.~SOCRATES: And
1028 Text |               does not think at all?~THEAETETUS: Obviously.~SOCRATES: Then
1029 Text |         predicate of something else?~THEAETETUS: Clearly not.~SOCRATES:
1030 Text |          thinking that which is not?~THEAETETUS: It would seem so.~SOCRATES:
1031 Text |            of being or of knowledge?~THEAETETUS: Certainly not.~SOCRATES:
1032 Text |             we express by this name?~THEAETETUS: What?~SOCRATES: May we
1033 Text |          said to have false opinion.~THEAETETUS: Now you appear to me to
1034 Text |            opinion.~SOCRATES: I see, Theaetetus, that your fear has disappeared,
1035 Text |             beginning to despise me.~THEAETETUS: What makes you say so?~
1036 Text |           thought of something else?~THEAETETUS: I am.~SOCRATES: It is possible
1037 Text |             of one thing as another?~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: But must
1038 Text |           objects or of one of them?~THEAETETUS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: Either
1039 Text |           together or in succession?~THEAETETUS: Very good.~SOCRATES: And
1040 Text |               the same which I mean?~THEAETETUS: What is that?~SOCRATES:
1041 Text |             another: What think you?~THEAETETUS: I agree.~SOCRATES: Then
1042 Text |           that one thing is another?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: But do you
1043 Text |             or anything of the kind?~THEAETETUS: Never.~SOCRATES: And do
1044 Text |          horse, or that two are one?~THEAETETUS: Certainly not.~SOCRATES:
1045 Text |             or anything of the kind.~THEAETETUS: I will give up the word ‘
1046 Text |            one of them is the other?~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: Neither,
1047 Text |         think that one is the other?~THEAETETUS: True; for we should have
1048 Text |           false opinion exist in us.~THEAETETUS: No.~SOCRATES: But if, Theaetetus,
1049 Text |    THEAETETUS: No.~SOCRATES: But if, Theaetetus, this is not admitted, we
1050 Text |        driven into many absurdities.~THEAETETUS: What are they?~SOCRATES:
1051 Text |           way out of our difficulty.~THEAETETUS: Let me hear.~SOCRATES:
1052 Text |             a deception is possible.~THEAETETUS: You mean to say, as I suspected
1053 Text |            the things which we know?~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: Let us
1054 Text |           one time you did not know?~THEAETETUS: Certainly you may.~SOCRATES:
1055 Text |             And another and another?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: I would
1056 Text |             an intermediate quality.~THEAETETUS: I see.~SOCRATES: Let us
1057 Text |              forget and do not know.~THEAETETUS: Very good.~SOCRATES: Now,
1058 Text |             in the following manner?~THEAETETUS: In what manner?~SOCRATES:
1059 Text |             the possibility of this.~THEAETETUS: And how would you amend
1060 Text |           remain, are the following.~THEAETETUS: What are they? If you tell
1061 Text |              he knows and perceives.~THEAETETUS: I understand you less than
1062 Text |             also what sort of person Theaetetus is, at one time see them,
1063 Text |            know them in my own mind.~THEAETETUS: Very true.~SOCRATES: Then,
1064 Text |        sensibly that which he knows.~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: And that
1065 Text |        perceived and only perceived?~THEAETETUS: That is also true.~SOCRATES:
1066 Text |              recognize Theodorus and Theaetetus, but he sees neither of
1067 Text |         imagine in his own mind that Theaetetus is Theodorus. Am I not right?~
1068 Text |           Theodorus. Am I not right?~THEAETETUS: You are quite right.~SOCRATES:
1069 Text |         first case of which I spoke.~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: The second
1070 Text |              him whom I do not know.~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: In the
1071 Text |    perceiving: do you understand me?~THEAETETUS: I do.~SOCRATES: The only
1072 Text |            and false opinion ensues.~THEAETETUS: Yes, Socrates, you have
1073 Text |              you did not understand.~THEAETETUS: No, I did not.~SOCRATES:
1074 Text |            also was a case supposed.~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: But there
1075 Text |            this is called falsehood.~THEAETETUS: Yes; it is rightly so called.~
1076 Text |            they go awry and crooked.~THEAETETUS: And is not that, Socrates,
1077 Text |              to be deceived is base.~THEAETETUS: Undoubtedly.~SOCRATES:
1078 Text |           called wise. Do you agree?~THEAETETUS: Entirely.~SOCRATES: But
1079 Text |            of objects, and ignorant.~THEAETETUS: No man, Socrates, can say
1080 Text |              of false opinion in us?~THEAETETUS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: And
1081 Text |            And of true opinion also?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: We have
1082 Text |          these two sorts of opinion?~THEAETETUS: Undoubtedly.~SOCRATES:
1083 Text |         Undoubtedly.~SOCRATES: Alas, Theaetetus, what a tiresome creature
1084 Text |              who is fond of talking!~THEAETETUS: What makes you say so?~
1085 Text |            who will never leave off?~THEAETETUS: But what puts you out of
1086 Text |              made a noble discovery.~THEAETETUS: I see no reason why we
1087 Text |              meaning, I shall reply.~THEAETETUS: Quite right.~SOCRATES:
1088 Text |            How would you answer him?~THEAETETUS: I should say that a mistake
1089 Text |         saying that they are twelve?~THEAETETUS: Certainly not; many would
1090 Text |           are supposed to be eleven?~THEAETETUS: Yes, that seems to be the
1091 Text |              thing at the same time.~THEAETETUS: Most true.~SOCRATES: Then
1092 Text |           alternative do you prefer?~THEAETETUS: It is hard to determine,
1093 Text |             we do a shameless thing?~THEAETETUS: What is it?~SOCRATES: Let
1094 Text |          explain the verb ‘to know.’~THEAETETUS: And why should that be
1095 Text |              not to know the nature.~THEAETETUS: Nay, but I am well aware.~
1096 Text |              to know’? The truth is, Theaetetus, that we have long been
1097 Text |             of knowledge or science.~THEAETETUS: But if you avoid these
1098 Text |         attempt may be worth making.~THEAETETUS: Then by all means venture,
1099 Text |   explanation of the verb ‘to know’?~THEAETETUS: I think so, but I do not
1100 Text |         meaning ‘to have knowledge.’~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: I should
1101 Text |               to possess’ knowledge.~THEAETETUS: How do the two expressions
1102 Text |              may help me to test it.~THEAETETUS: I will, if I can.~SOCRATES:
1103 Text |            he possesses the garment.~THEAETETUS: It would be the correct
1104 Text |        possesses them, might we not?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: And yet,
1105 Text |              as often as he pleases.~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: Once more,
1106 Text |             anywhere and everywhere.~THEAETETUS: Let us imagine such an
1107 Text |      knowledge: and this is to know.~THEAETETUS: Granted.~SOCRATES: And
1108 Text |             is an art of arithmetic?~THEAETETUS: To be sure.~SOCRATES: Conceive
1109 Text |             odd and even in general.~THEAETETUS: I follow.~SOCRATES: Having
1110 Text |            transmit them to another.~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: And when
1111 Text |            may be said to know them.~THEAETETUS: Exactly.~SOCRATES: Attend
1112 Text |             all numbers in his mind?~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: And he
1113 Text |             him which are numerable?~THEAETETUS: Of course he can.~SOCRATES:
1114 Text |            such a number amounts to?~THEAETETUS: Very true.~SOCRATES: And
1115 Text |         perplexing questions raised?~THEAETETUS: I have.~SOCRATES: May we
1116 Text |             not at hand in his mind.~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: That was
1117 Text |         learn what he already knows?~THEAETETUS: It would be too absurd,
1118 Text |             letters and all numbers?~THEAETETUS: That, again, would be an
1119 Text |           when he wanted the pigeon.~THEAETETUS: A very rational explanation.~
1120 Text |           agree with me, do you not?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: And so we
1121 Text |            looking in at the window.~THEAETETUS: What is it?~SOCRATES: How
1122 Text |           ever become false opinion?~THEAETETUS: What do you mean?~SOCRATES:
1123 Text |     knowledge can make him ignorant.~THEAETETUS: Perhaps, Socrates, we may
1124 Text |            cannot help praising you, Theaetetus, and yet I must beg you
1125 Text |            false opinion—am I right?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: He will
1126 Text |              he has a false opinion?~THEAETETUS: Of course not.~SOCRATES:
1127 Text |          which he has been deceived?~THEAETETUS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: Then
1128 Text |         knowledge and not ignorance?~THEAETETUS: Clearly.~SOCRATES: And
1129 Text |              are we to say in reply, Theaetetus?~THEAETETUS: Indeed, Socrates,
1130 Text |            say in reply, Theaetetus?~THEAETETUS: Indeed, Socrates, I do
1131 Text |             nature of false opinion?~THEAETETUS: I cannot but agree with
1132 Text |          going to lose heart as yet.~THEAETETUS: Certainly, I shall not
1133 Text |    consistent with our former views?~THEAETETUS: I cannot think of any but
1134 Text |               SOCRATES: What was it?~THEAETETUS: Knowledge was said by us
1135 Text |              the way into the river, Theaetetus, said ‘The experiment will
1136 Text |          nothing will come to light.~THEAETETUS: Very true; let us go forward
1137 Text |            profession is against us.~THEAETETUS: How is that, and what profession
1138 Text |            flowing in the clepsydra?~THEAETETUS: Certainly not, they can
1139 Text |         making them have an opinion?~THEAETETUS: To be sure.~SOCRATES: When,
1140 Text |            if they have judged well.~THEAETETUS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: And
1141 Text |          that they are not the same.~THEAETETUS: That is a distinction,
1142 Text |            have heard the same tale.~THEAETETUS: I do not know whether I
1143 Text |           the dream appeared to you?~THEAETETUS: Precisely.~SOCRATES: And
1144 Text |           explanation, is knowledge?~THEAETETUS: Exactly.~SOCRATES: Then
1145 Text |        SOCRATES: Then may we assume, Theaetetus, that to-day, and in this
1146 Text |              old and have not found?~THEAETETUS: At any rate, Socrates,
1147 Text |           does not quite satisfy me.~THEAETETUS: What was it?~SOCRATES:
1148 Text |      combination or syllables known.~THEAETETUS: And was that wrong?~SOCRATES:
1149 Text |           the argument himself used.~THEAETETUS: What hostages?~SOCRATES:
1150 Text |             letters of the alphabet?~THEAETETUS: Yes; he did.~SOCRATES:
1151 Text |          letters have no definition?~THEAETETUS: I think so.~SOCRATES: I
1152 Text |           first syllable of my name:—Theaetetus, he says, what is SO?~THEAETETUS:
1153 Text |     Theaetetus, he says, what is SO?~THEAETETUS: I should reply S and O.~
1154 Text |          would give of the syllable?~THEAETETUS: I should.~SOCRATES: I wish
1155 Text |         similar definition of the S.~THEAETETUS: But how can any one, Socrates,
1156 Text |            our idea about knowledge?~THEAETETUS: Yes; I think that we have.~
1157 Text |          known, but not the letters?~THEAETETUS: I think so.~SOCRATES: And
1158 Text |             the combination of them?~THEAETETUS: I should say that we mean
1159 Text |         syllable, know both of them?~THEAETETUS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: He
1160 Text |         knows, that is, the S and O?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: But can
1161 Text |              yet know both together?~THEAETETUS: Such a supposition, Socrates,
1162 Text |            taken wings and departed.~THEAETETUS: Yes, with wonderful celerity.~
1163 Text |             form distinct from them.~THEAETETUS: Very true; and a more likely
1164 Text |           great and imposing theory.~THEAETETUS: No, indeed.~SOCRATES: Let
1165 Text |            or of any other elements.~THEAETETUS: Very good.~SOCRATES: And
1166 Text |           And it must have no parts.~THEAETETUS: Why?~SOCRATES: Because
1167 Text |        different from all the parts?~THEAETETUS: I should.~SOCRATES: And
1168 Text |              the same, or different?~THEAETETUS: I am not certain; but,
1169 Text |           approve of your readiness, Theaetetus, but I must take time to
1170 Text |              approve of your answer.~THEAETETUS: Yes; the answer is the
1171 Text |         supposed to differ from all?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: Well, but
1172 Text |             or of different numbers?~THEAETETUS: Of the same.~SOCRATES:
1173 Text |            SOCRATES: That is of six?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: And in each
1174 Text |             we spoke of all the six?~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: Again,
1175 Text |              thing which we express?~THEAETETUS: Of course there is.~SOCRATES:
1176 Text |           SOCRATES: And that is six?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: Then in
1177 Text |             a singular and a plural?~THEAETETUS: Clearly we do.~SOCRATES:
1178 Text |              the same; are they not?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: And the
1179 Text |          like manner is the stadium?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: And the
1180 Text |        anything is the entire thing?~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: And the
1181 Text |           each is the parts of each?~THEAETETUS: Exactly.~SOCRATES: Then
1182 Text |          parts are made up of parts?~THEAETETUS: Clearly.~SOCRATES: But
1183 Text |            entire number is the all?~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: Then the
1184 Text |         consisting of all the parts?~THEAETETUS: That is the inference.~
1185 Text |              anything but the whole?~THEAETETUS: Yes, of the all.~SOCRATES:
1186 Text |              make a valiant defence, Theaetetus. And yet is not the all
1187 Text |            which nothing is wanting?~THEAETETUS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: And
1188 Text |            their entirety of nature.~THEAETETUS: I now think that there
1189 Text |             will be a whole and all?~THEAETETUS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: Then,
1190 Text |             equally known with them?~THEAETETUS: You are right.~SOCRATES:
1191 Text |              be different from them?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: But if letters
1192 Text |               which are not letters?~THEAETETUS: No, indeed, Socrates; for
1193 Text |         parts.~SOCRATES: Quite true, Theaetetus, and therefore, according
1194 Text |            be some indivisible form?~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: But do
1195 Text |             indefinable and unknown?~THEAETETUS: I remember.~SOCRATES: And
1196 Text |     indivisible? I can see no other.~THEAETETUS: No other reason can be
1197 Text |            no parts and is one form?~THEAETETUS: To be sure.~SOCRATES: If,
1198 Text |            be the same as the whole?~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: But if
1199 Text |             and for the same reason?~THEAETETUS: I cannot deny that.~SOCRATES:
1200 Text |      expressed, but not the letters.~THEAETETUS: Certainly not; if we may
1201 Text |      experience in learning to read?~THEAETETUS: What experience?~SOCRATES:
1202 Text |          confused by their position.~THEAETETUS: Very true.~SOCRATES: And
1203 Text |        elements or letters of music?~THEAETETUS: Exactly.~SOCRATES: Then,
1204 Text |              he is talking nonsense?~THEAETETUS: Exactly.~SOCRATES: And
1205 Text |           perfect form of knowledge.~THEAETETUS: We must not.~SOCRATES:
1206 Text |            choice of three meanings.~THEAETETUS: What are they?~SOCRATES:
1207 Text |         appear to be of this nature?~THEAETETUS: Certainly; he who so manifests
1208 Text |          exist apart from knowledge.~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: Let us
1209 Text |           the elements of the thing.~THEAETETUS: As for example, Socrates...?~
1210 Text |              axle, body, rims, yoke.~THEAETETUS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: And
1211 Text |   grammatical account of the name of Theaetetus, and yet could only tell
1212 Text |          which anything is composed.~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: In the same
1213 Text |          whole through the elements.~THEAETETUS: And do you not agree in
1214 Text |        irrational—is this your view?~THEAETETUS: Precisely.~SOCRATES: Well,
1215 Text |         elements at different times?~THEAETETUS: Assuredly not.~SOCRATES:
1216 Text |         process of learning to read?~THEAETETUS: You mean that I mistook
1217 Text |            syllables?~SOCRATES: Yes.~THEAETETUS: To be sure; I perfectly
1218 Text |          learning writes the name of Theaetetus, and thinks that he ought
1219 Text |         syllables of your two names?~THEAETETUS: We have already admitted
1220 Text |              syllables of your name?~THEAETETUS: He may.~SOCRATES: And in
1221 Text |     correctly, he has right opinion?~THEAETETUS: Clearly.~SOCRATES: But
1222 Text |          still be without knowledge?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: And yet
1223 Text |             admit to be explanation.~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: Then, my
1224 Text |              exactness of knowledge.~THEAETETUS: It would seem so.~SOCRATES:
1225 Text |           prefer this but the third.~THEAETETUS: You are quite right; there
1226 Text |            question from all others.~THEAETETUS: Can you give me any example
1227 Text |             revolve about the earth.~THEAETETUS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: Understand
1228 Text |              common quality belongs.~THEAETETUS: I understand you, and your
1229 Text |              he had only an opinion.~THEAETETUS: Yes; that is what we are
1230 Text |              SOCRATES: Nevertheless, Theaetetus, on a nearer view, I find
1231 Text |           altogether unintelligible.~THEAETETUS: What do you mean?~SOCRATES:
1232 Text |            but if not, opinion only.~THEAETETUS: Yes.~SOCRATES: The definition
1233 Text |   interpretation of your difference.~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: But when
1234 Text |      distinguishing characteristics.~THEAETETUS: I suppose not.~SOCRATES:
1235 Text |              to you than to another.~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: Tell me,
1236 Text |               Suppose that I imagine Theaetetus to be a man who has nose,
1237 Text |             enable me to distinguish Theaetetus from Theodorus, or from
1238 Text |           from some outer barbarian?~THEAETETUS: How could it?~SOCRATES:
1239 Text |              others who resemble me?~THEAETETUS: Certainly not.~SOCRATES:
1240 Text |            can have no conception of Theaetetus until your snub-nosedness
1241 Text |           opinion will be re-called?~THEAETETUS: Most true.~SOCRATES: Then
1242 Text |           perception of differences?~THEAETETUS: Clearly.~SOCRATES: What,
1243 Text |              proposal is ridiculous.~THEAETETUS: How so?~SOCRATES: We are
1244 Text |              soul utterly benighted.~THEAETETUS: Tell me; what were you
1245 Text |         surely to acquire knowledge.~THEAETETUS: True.~SOCRATES: And so,
1246 Text |            is adding the definition.~THEAETETUS: That seems to be true.~
1247 Text |              or of anything! And so, Theaetetus, knowledge is neither sensation
1248 Text |           and added to true opinion?~THEAETETUS: I suppose not.~SOCRATES:
1249 Text |              knowledge to the birth?~THEAETETUS: I am sure, Socrates, that
1250 Text |           are not worth bringing up?~THEAETETUS: Very true.~SOCRATES: But
1251 Text |              true.~SOCRATES: But if, Theaetetus, you should ever conceive


Timaeus
     Part
1252 Intro|          opinion which occurs in the Theaetetus and Republic, the same enmity
1253 Intro|           Plato has ridiculed in the Theaetetus, they were incapable of