[229a]
Stranger
For deformity there is gymnastics, and for disease medicine.Theaetetus
That is clear.Stranger
Hence for insolence and injustice and cowardice is not the corrective art the one of all arts most closely related to Justice?Theaetetus
Probably it is, at least according to the judgement of mankind.Stranger
And for all sorts of ignorance is there any art it would be more correct to suggest than that of instruction?Theaetetus
No, none.Stranger
Come now, think. Shall we say that [229b] there is only one kind of instruction, or that there are more and that two are the most important?Theaetetus
I am thinking.Stranger
I think we can find out most quickly in this way.Theaetetus
In what way?Stranger
By seeing whether ignorance admits of being cut in two in the middle; for if ignorance turns out to be twofold, it is clear that instruction must also consist of two parts, one for each part of ignorance.Theaetetus
Well, can you see what you are now looking for? [229c] Stranger
I at any rate think I do see one large and grievous kind of ignorance, separate from the rest, and as weighty as all the other parts put together.Theaetetus
What is it?Stranger
Thinking that one knows a thing when one does not know it. Through this, I believe, all the mistakes of the mind are caused in all of us.Theaetetus
True.Stranger
And furthermore to this kind of ignorance alone the name of stupidity is given.Theaetetus
Certainly.Stranger
Now what name is to be given to that part of instruction which gets rid of this? [229d] Theaetetus
I think, Stranger, that the other part is called instruction in handicraft, and that this part is here at Athens through our influence called education.Stranger
And so it is, Theaetetus, among nearly all the Hellenes. But we must examine further and see whether it is one and indivisible or still admits of division important enough to have a name.Theaetetus
Yes, we must see about that.Stranger
I think there is still a way in which this also may be divided.Theaetetus
On what principle?Stranger
Of instruction in arguments one method [229e] seems to be rougher, and the other section smoother.Theaetetus
What shall we call each of these?Stranger
The venerable method of our fathers, which they generally employed towards their sons, and which many still employ, of sometimes showing anger at their errors
For deformity there is gymnastics, and for disease medicine.Theaetetus
That is clear.Stranger
Hence for insolence and injustice and cowardice is not the corrective art the one of all arts most closely related to Justice?Theaetetus
Probably it is, at least according to the judgement of mankind.Stranger
And for all sorts of ignorance is there any art it would be more correct to suggest than that of instruction?Theaetetus
No, none.Stranger
Come now, think. Shall we say that [229b] there is only one kind of instruction, or that there are more and that two are the most important?Theaetetus
I am thinking.Stranger
I think we can find out most quickly in this way.Theaetetus
In what way?Stranger
By seeing whether ignorance admits of being cut in two in the middle; for if ignorance turns out to be twofold, it is clear that instruction must also consist of two parts, one for each part of ignorance.Theaetetus
Well, can you see what you are now looking for? [229c] Stranger
I at any rate think I do see one large and grievous kind of ignorance, separate from the rest, and as weighty as all the other parts put together.Theaetetus
What is it?Stranger
Thinking that one knows a thing when one does not know it. Through this, I believe, all the mistakes of the mind are caused in all of us.Theaetetus
True.Stranger
And furthermore to this kind of ignorance alone the name of stupidity is given.Theaetetus
Certainly.Stranger
Now what name is to be given to that part of instruction which gets rid of this? [229d] Theaetetus
I think, Stranger, that the other part is called instruction in handicraft, and that this part is here at Athens through our influence called education.Stranger
And so it is, Theaetetus, among nearly all the Hellenes. But we must examine further and see whether it is one and indivisible or still admits of division important enough to have a name.Theaetetus
Yes, we must see about that.Stranger
I think there is still a way in which this also may be divided.Theaetetus
On what principle?Stranger
Of instruction in arguments one method [229e] seems to be rougher, and the other section smoother.Theaetetus
What shall we call each of these?Stranger
The venerable method of our fathers, which they generally employed towards their sons, and which many still employ, of sometimes showing anger at their errors
