Page - 660 - in The Complete Plato

unmeaning. SOCRATES: But if he cannot know both without knowing each, then if he is ever to know the syllable, he must know the letters first; and thus the fine theory has again taken wings and departed. THEAETETUS: Yes, with wonderful celerity. SOCRATES: Yes, we did not keep watch properly. Perhaps we ought to have maintained that a syllable is not the letters, but rather one single idea framed out of them, having a separate form distinct from them. THEAETETUS: Very true; and a more likely notion than the other. SOCRATES: Take care; let us not be cowards and betray a great and imposing theory. THEAETETUS: No, indeed. SOCRATES: Let us assume then, as we now say, that the syllable is a simple form arising out of the several combinations of harmonious elements —of letters or of any other elements. THEAETETUS: Very good. SOCRATES: And it must have no parts. THEAETETUS: Why? SOCRATES: Because that which has parts must be a whole of all the parts. Or would you say that a whole, although formed out of the parts, is a single notion different from all the parts? THEAETETUS: I should. SOCRATES: And would you say that all and the whole are the same, or different? THEAETETUS: I am not certain; but, as you like me to answer at once, I shall hazard the reply, that they are different. SOCRATES: I approve of your readiness, Theaetetus, but I must take time to think whether I equally approve of your answer. THEAETETUS: Yes; the answer is the point. SOCRATES: According to this new view, the whole is supposed to differ from all? THEAETETUS: Yes. SOCRATES: Well, but is there any difference between all (in the plural) 660