Oct

20

As a wonderful illustration of the harmonious accord and pedagogical perfection that prevails on Daily Speculations, I cite the example of Hermogenes, student of Socrates, as he appears in Plato’s dialogue “Cratylus”. Listed below is Hermogenes’ side of the dialogue, with Socrates’ parts removed. You will see that Hermogenes always finds a way to agree, though with a variation each time that keeps the conversation lively.

He starts with an elegant “That is my notion”, followed by spare “Yes”, and then a “He would, according to my view.”. Note that even apparently negative words such as “No” can actually be part of the process of agreement, as in “No indeed”. It is acceptable to display disagreement if it is a disagreement with a third party, not present, as in “There have been times, Socrates, when I have been driven in my perplexity to take refuge with Protagoras; not that I agree with him at all.” And don’t forget one-worders like “Precisely” and “Certainly”.

[Her.] That is my notion.
[Her.] Yes.
[Her.] He would, according to my view.
[Her.] Certainly.
[Her.] To be sure.
[Her.] Yes; what other answer is possible.
[Her.] Certainly.
[Her.] No; the parts are true as well as the whole.
[Her.] I should say that every part is true.
[Her.] No; that is the smallest.
[Her.] Yes.
[Her.] Yes.
[Her.] Yes.
[Her.] So we must infer.
[Her.] Yes.
[Her.] Yes, Socrates, I can conceive no correctness of names other than this.
[Her.] There have been times, Socrates, when I have been driven in my perplexity to take refuge with Protagoras; not that I agree with him at all.
[Her.] No, indeed; but I have often had reason to think that there are very bad men, and a good many of them.
[Her.] Not many.
[Her.] Yes.
[Her.] It would.
[Her.] Impossible.
[Her.] He cannot.
[Her.] There cannot.
[Her.] I think, Socrates, that you have said the truth.
[Her.] Yes, the actions are real as well as the things.
[Her.] I should say that the natural way is the right way.
[Her.] True.
[Her.] Yes.
[Her.] True.
[Her.] I quite agree with you.
[Her.] That is true.
[Her.] True.
[Her.] Precisely.
[Her.] I agree.
[Her.] Yes.
[Her.] Certainly.
[Her.] True.
[Her.] An awl.
[Her.] A shuttle.
[Her.] A name.
[Her.] Certainly.
[Her.] Well.
[Her.] Very true.
[Her.] To be sure.
[Her.] I cannot say.
[Her.] Certainly we do.
[Her.] Yes.
[Her.] Assuredly.
[Her.] Yes.
[Her.] That of the carpenter.
[Her.] Only the skilled.
[Her.] That of the smith.
[Her.] The skilled only.
[Her.] There again I am puzzled.
[Her.] Indeed I cannot.
[Her.] Yes, I suppose so.
[Her.] I agree.
[Her.] The skilled only.
[Her.] True.
[Her.] Certainly.
[Her.] To the latter, I should imagine.
[Her.] I think so.
[Her.] Yes.


Comments

Name

Email

Website

Speak your mind

Archives

Resources & Links

Search