[232a]
Stranger
Then do you see that when a man appears to know many things, but is called by the name of a single art, there is something wrong about this impression, and that, in fact, the person who labors under this impression in connexion with any art is clearly unable to see the common principle of the art, to which all these kinds of knowledge pertain, so that he calls him who possesses them by many names instead of one?Theaetetus
Something like that is very likely to be the case. [232b] Stranger
We must not let that happen to us in our search through lack of diligence. So let us first take up again one of our statements about the sophist. For there is one of them which seemed to me to designate him most plainly.Theaetetus
Which was it?Stranger
I think we said he was a disputer.Theaetetus
Yes.Stranger
And did we not also say that he taught this same art of disputing to others?Theaetetus
Certainly.Stranger
Now let us examine and see what the subjects are about which such men say they make their pupils able to dispute. Let us begin our examination [232c] at the beginning with this question: Is it about divine things which are invisible to others that they make people able to dispute?Theaetetus
That is their reputation, at any rate.Stranger
And how about the visible things of earth and heaven and the like?Theaetetus
Those are included, of course.Stranger
And furthermore in private conversations, when the talk is about generation and being in general, we know (do we not?) that they are clever disputants themselves and impart equal ability to others.Theaetetus
Certainly. [232d] Stranger
And how about laws and public affairs in general? Do they not promise to make men able to argue about those?Theaetetus
Yes, for nobody, to speak broadly, would attend their classes if they did not make that promise.Stranger
However in all arts jointly and severally what the professional ought to answer to every opponent is written down somewhere and published that he who will may learn.Theaetetus
You seem to refer to the text-books of Protagoras [232e] on wrestling and the other arts.Stranger
Yes, my friend, and to those of many other authors. But is not the art of disputation, in a word, a trained ability for arguing about all things?Theaetetus
Well, at any rate, it does not seem to leave much out.Stranger
For heaven's sake, my boy, do you think that is possible? For perhaps you young people may look at the matter with sharper vision than our duller sight.
Then do you see that when a man appears to know many things, but is called by the name of a single art, there is something wrong about this impression, and that, in fact, the person who labors under this impression in connexion with any art is clearly unable to see the common principle of the art, to which all these kinds of knowledge pertain, so that he calls him who possesses them by many names instead of one?Theaetetus
Something like that is very likely to be the case. [232b] Stranger
We must not let that happen to us in our search through lack of diligence. So let us first take up again one of our statements about the sophist. For there is one of them which seemed to me to designate him most plainly.Theaetetus
Which was it?Stranger
I think we said he was a disputer.Theaetetus
Yes.Stranger
And did we not also say that he taught this same art of disputing to others?Theaetetus
Certainly.Stranger
Now let us examine and see what the subjects are about which such men say they make their pupils able to dispute. Let us begin our examination [232c] at the beginning with this question: Is it about divine things which are invisible to others that they make people able to dispute?Theaetetus
That is their reputation, at any rate.Stranger
And how about the visible things of earth and heaven and the like?Theaetetus
Those are included, of course.Stranger
And furthermore in private conversations, when the talk is about generation and being in general, we know (do we not?) that they are clever disputants themselves and impart equal ability to others.Theaetetus
Certainly. [232d] Stranger
And how about laws and public affairs in general? Do they not promise to make men able to argue about those?Theaetetus
Yes, for nobody, to speak broadly, would attend their classes if they did not make that promise.Stranger
However in all arts jointly and severally what the professional ought to answer to every opponent is written down somewhere and published that he who will may learn.Theaetetus
You seem to refer to the text-books of Protagoras [232e] on wrestling and the other arts.Stranger
Yes, my friend, and to those of many other authors. But is not the art of disputation, in a word, a trained ability for arguing about all things?Theaetetus
Well, at any rate, it does not seem to leave much out.Stranger
For heaven's sake, my boy, do you think that is possible? For perhaps you young people may look at the matter with sharper vision than our duller sight.
