Sophist – Plato
THEAETETUS: How indeed?
THEAETETUS: Quite true.
STRANGER: When we speak of things which are STRANGER: But, if so, I was wrong in telling you not, are we not attributing plurality to not-being?
just now that the difficulty which was coming is the greatest of all.
THEAETETUS: Certainly.
THEAETETUS: What! is there a greater still behind?
STRANGER: But, on the other hand, when we say ‘what is not,’ do we not attribute unity?
STRANGER: Well, I am surprised, after what has been said already, that you do not see the diffi-THEAETETUS: Manifestly.
culty in which he who would refute the notion of not-being is involved. For he is compelled to con-STRANGER: Nevertheless, we maintain that you may tradict himself as soon as he makes the attempt.
not and ought not to attribute being to not-being?
THEAETETUS: What do you mean? Speak more clearly.
THEAETETUS: Most true.
STRANGER: Do not expect clearness from me.
STRANGER: Do you see, then, that not-being in For I, who maintain that not-being has no part itself can neither be spoken, uttered, or thought, either in the one or many, just now spoke and but that it is unthinkable, unutterable, unspeak-am still speaking of not-being as one; for I say able, indescribable?
‘not-being.’ Do you understand?
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