All of us wish to do well in life, don't we? Or is that a stupid question?
- No I agree
Well then, since we all want to do well, the next step is, how can we achieve this? Is it when we have many good things? (Or is this an even sillier question?)
- Agreed
OK so what sort of things do we think to be really good? This is easy - people say that to be rich is good, right?
- True, people say that
And it's the same with being healthy and good looking?
- Yep
And it's clear that coming from a good family, having talents and gaining fame are good things.
- For sure
So what's left? What about being self-controlled, just, and high-spirited? Should we include these traits as 'goods' or not? Some people don't include them, but what do you say?
- They're goods
What about wisdom? Is it a good to those that have it?
- Yes it's classed as a good
Have we missed out any class of goods from our list so far?
- No I don't think so
Ok we have already agreed that if we had many goods we would be happy and do well.
- Yes
Then would we be happy with the goods we have if they gave us no benefit, or if they gave us some?
- If they gave us benefit
And would a thing benefit us if we merely had it and did not use it? For instance, if we had a lot of food, but did not eat it, or money, and did not spend it, could we be said to be benefited?
- No
Well now, suppose a man had got wealth and all the goods that we've mentioned, but made no use of them; would he be happy just simply possessing these goods?
- No
So it seems a person doesn't just need to posses goods to be happy, but use them too; else there's no benefit gained from their possession.
- True
So for a man to be happy he must have the goods and use them?
- I think so
Must he use them rightly or wrongly to be happy?
- Rightly
I think so too because I think there is more trouble when a man uses anything wrongly than when he just lets it alone. In the first case there is a bad result; in the other there is neither bad nor good. Right?
- I agree
To continue then: in the creation of computer software is there anything else that leads to the right use of computers than the knowledge of programming?
- Surely not
And in the work connected with making furniture is it knowledge that leads to the right work?
- Yes
And in the use of the goods we mentioned at first (wealth and health and beauty) was it knowledge that led to the right use of all those advantages, or something else?
- Knowledge
So that knowledge, it would seem, provides humankind with welfare, in all that he either possesses or does.
- Agreed
Then can we get any benefit from all the other possessions without understanding and wisdom? Will a man profit more by possessing and doing much when he has no sense, or is it better if he does little and possesses little? Consider it this way: would he not make fewer mistakes if he did less; and so, making fewer mistakes, create fewer problems; and hence, having fewer problems, be less miserable?
- Certainly
In which of the two cases, when one is poor or when one is rich, will one be more likely to do less?
- When one is poor
And when one is weak, or strong?
- Weak
And when one has high position, or none?
- None
When one is brave or a coward?
- A coward
And slow rather than quick, and dim of sight and hearing rather than sharp?
- Yes to these and similar cases
To sum up then, it seems that, as regards the whole lot of things which at first we termed goods, I think this: if they are guided by ignorance they are greater evils than their opposites, because they are more capable of causing damage; but if understanding and wisdom guide them, they are greater goods; in themselves these goods have no worth.
- I think this is right.
So what's the result of our statements? Is it not exactly this, of all the other things, they are neither good or bad, however it is wisdom that is good and ignorance bad?
- Agreed.
Consider then this further conclusion: since we all want to be happy and since we found we can become happy by not only using things but using them right, while knowledge, we saw, was that which provided the 'rightness', it seems that every man must do everything he can to be as wise as possible. Is it not so?
- Yes
And if a man thinks that he ought to get this gift of wisdom from his parents and friends more than money, and if he goes around begging those he thinks wise to give him a share of wisdom, it won't be a surprise. In his eagerness to become wise he will volunteer his time, effort and commitment to the task.
- You are right
I'm right if wisdom is teachable, and doesn't present itself to humankind of its own accord
- IMO I think it's teachable
So since you think it is both teachable and the only thing in the world that makes man happy, you can't help saying that it is necessary to pursue wisdom and that you are intending to pursue it yourself?
- Yes, with all my heart.
[adapted from Plato's Euthydemus]
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