Lately, Lytchee has been thinking about the turn life is taking. In hindsight it seems there are no regrets. In assurance, Lytchee is convinced of the constant presence of imperfections in everything. Those imperfections spice the otherwise monotonous waves of our existence. Having accepted these complexities, Lytchee kept true to a promise, that of navigating the waves with knowledge. So as to learn and never stop learning, filtering the benefits and abandonning the detriments.
Sincerely, Lytchee wishes time would pause and allow her to discover whether, driven by her belief, Knowledge is indeed a Virtue. Yet, contentions must always be weighed. The goal is not to reach a clear answer, but to catch a glimpse of whether knowledge should be pursued, in which case to which destination it will lead.
The Debate ...
Socrates: I wonder then, if we can make it clear to ourselves like this. If a man were trying to judge, by external appearance, of another's health or some particular physical function, he might look at his face and hands and then say: "Let me see your chest and back too, so that I may make a more satisfactory examination." Something like this is what I want for our present inquiry. Observing that your attitude to the good and pleasant is what you say, I want to go on something like this: Now uncover another part of your mind, Protagoras. What is your attitude to knowledge? Do you share the common view about that also? Most people think, in general terms, that it is nothing strong, no leading or ruling element. They don't see it like that. They hold that it is not the knowledge that a man possess that governs him, but something else --now passion, now pleasure, now pain, sometimes love, and frequently fear. They think of knowledge as a slave, pushed around by all the other affections. Is this your view too, or would you rather say that knowledge is a fine thing quite capable of ruling a man, and that if he can distinguish good from evil, nothing will force him to act otherwise than as knowledge dictates, since wisdom is all the reinforcement he needs.
Protagoras ; Not only is this my view, but I above all men should think it a shame to speak of wisdom and knowledge as anything but the most powerful elements in human life.
Socrates ; Well and truly answered. But I expect you know most men don't believe us. They maintain that there are many who recognize the best but are unwilling to act on it. It may be open to them but they do otherwise. Whenever I ask what can be the reason for this, they answer that those who act this way are overcome by pleasure or pain or some other of the things I mentioned just now.
Protagoras: Well, Socrates, it's by no means uncommon for people to say what is not correct.
Socrates: Then come with me and try to convince them, and show what really happens when they speak of being overcome by pleasure and therefore, though recognizing what is best, failing to do it. If we simply declare: "You are wrong and what you say is false", they will ask us: "If it is not being overcome by pleasure then what can it be? What do you two say it is? Tell us.
Protagoras: But why must we look into the opinions of the common man, who says whatever comes into his head?
Socrates: I believe that it will help us to find out how courage is related to other parts of virtue. So if you are content to keep to our decision, that I should lead the way in whatever direction I think we shall best see the light, then follow me. Otherwise, if you wish, I shall give it up.
