[416a]
Hermogenes
But what is the meaning of the word κακόν which you used in many of your derivations?Socrates
By Zeus, I think it is a strange word and hard to understand; so I apply to it that contrivance of mine.Hermogenes
What contrivance?Socrates
The claim of foreign origin, which I advance in this case as in those others.Hermogenes
Well, probably you are right. But, if you please, let us drop these words and try to discover the reasons for the words καλόν (beautiful, noble) and αἰσχρόν (base).Socrates
I think the meaning of αἰσχρόν is clear, [416b] and this also agrees with what has been said before. For the giver of names appears to me throughout to denounce that which hinders and restrains things from flowing, and in this instance he gave to that which always restrains the flow (ἀεὶ ἴσχει τὸν ῥοῦν) this name ἀεισχοροῦν, which is now compressed and pronounced αἰσχρόν.Hermogenes
What about καλόν?Socrates
That is harder to understand, and yet it expresses its meaning: it has been altered merely in accent and in the length of the O. [416c] Hermogenes
How is that?Socrates
I think this word denotes intellect.Hermogenes
What do you mean?Socrates
Why, what do you think is the cause why anything is called by a name? Is it not the power which gave the name?Hermogenes
Why, certainly.Socrates
And is not that power the intellect either of gods or of men or both?Hermogenes
Yes.Socrates
Are not that which called things by name and that which calls them by name (τὸ καλοῦν) the same thing, namely intellect?Hermogenes
Yes, clearly.Socrates
And are not all works which are done by mind and intelligence worthy of praise, and those that are not done by them worthy of blame?Hermogenes
Certainly. [416d] Socrates
Does not the medical power perform medical works and the power of carpentry works of carpentry? Do you agree to that?Hermogenes
I agree.Socrates
And the beautiful performs beautiful works?Hermogenes
It must do so.Socrates
And the beautiful is, we say, intellect?Hermogenes
Certainly.Socrates
Then this name, the beautiful, is rightly given to mind, since it accomplishes the works which we call beautiful and in which we delight.Hermogenes
Evidently. [416e] Socrates
What further words of this sort are left for us?Hermogenes
Those that are related to the good and the beautiful,
But what is the meaning of the word κακόν which you used in many of your derivations?Socrates
By Zeus, I think it is a strange word and hard to understand; so I apply to it that contrivance of mine.Hermogenes
What contrivance?Socrates
The claim of foreign origin, which I advance in this case as in those others.Hermogenes
Well, probably you are right. But, if you please, let us drop these words and try to discover the reasons for the words καλόν (beautiful, noble) and αἰσχρόν (base).Socrates
I think the meaning of αἰσχρόν is clear, [416b] and this also agrees with what has been said before. For the giver of names appears to me throughout to denounce that which hinders and restrains things from flowing, and in this instance he gave to that which always restrains the flow (ἀεὶ ἴσχει τὸν ῥοῦν) this name ἀεισχοροῦν, which is now compressed and pronounced αἰσχρόν.Hermogenes
What about καλόν?Socrates
That is harder to understand, and yet it expresses its meaning: it has been altered merely in accent and in the length of the O. [416c] Hermogenes
How is that?Socrates
I think this word denotes intellect.Hermogenes
What do you mean?Socrates
Why, what do you think is the cause why anything is called by a name? Is it not the power which gave the name?Hermogenes
Why, certainly.Socrates
And is not that power the intellect either of gods or of men or both?Hermogenes
Yes.Socrates
Are not that which called things by name and that which calls them by name (τὸ καλοῦν) the same thing, namely intellect?Hermogenes
Yes, clearly.Socrates
And are not all works which are done by mind and intelligence worthy of praise, and those that are not done by them worthy of blame?Hermogenes
Certainly. [416d] Socrates
Does not the medical power perform medical works and the power of carpentry works of carpentry? Do you agree to that?Hermogenes
I agree.Socrates
And the beautiful performs beautiful works?Hermogenes
It must do so.Socrates
And the beautiful is, we say, intellect?Hermogenes
Certainly.Socrates
Then this name, the beautiful, is rightly given to mind, since it accomplishes the works which we call beautiful and in which we delight.Hermogenes
Evidently. [416e] Socrates
What further words of this sort are left for us?Hermogenes
Those that are related to the good and the beautiful,