206
Socrates
SOC. In learning, you were merely constantly trying to distinguish between the letters both by sight and by hearing, keeping each of them distinct from the rest, that you might not be disturbed by their sequence when they were spoken or written.
Theaetetus
THEAET. That is very true.
Socrates
SOC. And in the music school was not perfect attainment the ability to follow each note and tell which string produced it; and everyone would agree that the notes are the elements of music?
5
Theaetetus
THEAET. Yes, that is all true.
Socrates
SOC. Then if we are to argue from the elements and combinations in which we ourselves have experience to other things in general, we shall say that the elements as a class admit of a much clearer knowledge than the compounds and of a knowledge that is much more important for the complete attainment of each branch of learning, and if anyone says that the compound is by its nature knowable and the element unknowable, we shall consider that he is, intentionally or unintentionally, joking.
Theaetetus
THEAET. Certainly.
Socrates
SOC. Still other proofs of this might be brought out, I think; but let us not on that account lose sight of the question before us, which is: What is meant by the doctrine that the most perfect knowledge arises from the addition of rational explanation to true opinion?
Theaetetus
THEAET. No, we must not.
10
Socrates
SOC. Now what are we intended to understand by rational explanation? I think it means one of three things.
Theaetetus
THEAET. What are they?
