Sophist by Plato. - HTML preview

144

Sophist – Plato

STRANGER: But then, what is the meaning of STRANGER: Because motion would be at rest and these two words, ‘same’ and ‘other’? Are they rest in motion, for either of them, being predi-two new kinds other than the three, and yet al-cated of both, will compel the other to change ways of necessity intermingling with them, and into the opposite of its own nature, because par-are we to have five kinds instead of three; or taking of its opposite.

when we speak of the same and other, are we unconsciously speaking of one of the three first THEAETETUS: Quite true.

kinds?

STRANGER: Yet they surely both partake of the THEAETETUS: Very likely we are.

same and of the other?

STRANGER: But, surely, motion and rest are nei-THEAETETUS: Yes.

ther the other nor the same.

STRANGER: Then we must not assert that mo-THEAETETUS: How is that?

tion, any more than rest, is either the same or the other.

STRANGER: Whatever we attribute to motion and rest in common, cannot be either of them.

THEAETETUS: No; we must not.

THEAETETUS: Why not?

STRANGER: But are we to conceive that being and the same are identical?