204–205
Theaetetus
THEAET. Apparently.
Socrates
SOC. Here is another way of approaching the matter. The number of the fathom and the fathom are the same, are they not?
25
Socrates
SOC. And of the furlong likewise.
Socrates
SOC. And the number of the army is the same as the army, and all such cases are alike? In each of them all the number is all the thing.
Theaetetus
THEAET. Yes.
30
Socrates
SOC. And is the number of each anything but the parts of each?
Socrates
SOC. Everything that has parts, accordingly, consists of parts, does it not?
Theaetetus
THEAET. Evidently.
Socrates
SOC. But we are agreed that the all must be all the parts if all the number is to be the all. Cf. Plat. Theaet. 204b
35
Socrates
SOC. Then the whole does not consist of parts, for if it consisted of all the parts it would be the all.
Theaetetus
THEAET. That seems to be true.
Socrates
SOC. But is a part a part of anything in the world but the whole?
Theaetetus
THEAET. Yes, of the all.
40
Socrates
SOC. You are putting up a brave fight, Theaetetus. But is not the all precisely that of which nothing is wanting?
Theaetetus
THEAET. Necessarily.
Socrates
SOC. And is not just this same thing, from which nothing whatsoever is lacking, a whole? For that from which anything is lacking is neither a whole nor all, which have become identical simultaneously and for the same reason.