HIPPIAS (major) by Plato - Complete text

Page 28

Hip.: What man is that?

Soc.: Socrates, the son of Sophroniscus, who would no more permit me to say these things carelessly without investigation than to say that I know what I do not know.

Hip.: But certainly I also, now that you have mentioned it, think that this about the laws is something different.

Soc.: Not too fast, Hippias ; for very likely we have fallen into the same perplexity about the beautiful in which we were a while ago, although we think we have found another way out.

Hip.: What do you mean by that, Socrates?

Soc.: I will tell you what presents itself to me, if perhaps there may be some sense in it. For perhaps these matters of laws and customs might be shown to be not outside of the perception which we have through hearing and sight ; but let us stick to the statement that that which is pleasing through the senses is beautiful, without interjecting the matter of the laws. But if this man of whom I speak, or anyone else whosoever, should ask us : "Hippias and Socrates, did you make the distinction that in the category of the pleasing that which is pleasing in the way you mention is beautiful, whereas you say that that which is pleasing according to the other senses — those concerned with food and drink and sexual love and all such things — is not beautiful? Or do you say that such things are not even pleasing and that there is no pleasure at all in them, nor in anything else except sight and hearing?" What shall we say, Hippias?

Hip.: Certainly, by all means, Socrates, we shall say that there are very great pleasures in the other things also.

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Plato : HIPPIAS (major)

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