Ἑρμότιμος ἢ Περὶ Αἱρέσεων

Bölümler

1 2–3 3–4 5–6 6–7 7–8 8–10 10–11 11–12 12–13 13–15 15–16 16–18 18–19 19–20 20–21 21–22 23 24 25 26–27 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34–35 35–36 36–37 37 38 39 40 40 41–42 42–43 44 45–46 46–47 47–48 48–49 49–50 50–51 52–53 53–54 55 56 57–58 59–60 60–61 61 62–63 63–64 64–66 66 66–68 68 69 70–71 71 72 73 74 75 76–77 77 78–79 79–80 81 82 83–84 85 86

İngilizce İngilizce Yunanca Yunanca

13–15

LYCINUS

Exactly that, Hermotimus. So take and lead me too along the same path—that would be only right. First of all tell me this: do you allow learners to argue if they disagree with something, or is this not allowed to the young? 5

HERMOTIMUS

No, it is not allowed at all. But you, if you like, may ask questions and make criticisms as we go along. You will learn more easily that way.

LYCINUS

Good, Hermotimus—by Hermes who gives you your name.

Now tell me, is there one way only to philosophy, the one you Stoics follow? I have heard there are many other schools as well. Is that right?

HERMOTIMUS

Very many—the Peripatetics, Epicureans, those who take Plato as their patron, others also, the devotees of Diogenes and Antisthenes, Pythagoreans, and more besides.

LYCINUS

True, there are many. Is what they say the same, Hermotimus, or different?

HERMOTIMUS

Quite different.

LYCINUS

At all events, one of their systems, I suppose, is true? They can’t all be true if they differ. 5

HERMOTIMUS

No, they can’t.

LYCINUS

Now be a true friend and tell me this: when you first set out to study philosophy, many doors were open to you; you passed by the others and came to the Stoic door; you deigned to enter through that door on the way to Virtue, thinking it the only true one which revealed the straight path; the rest led into blind alleys. Now what was your reason for this? What at that time made you certain? Please do not think of yourself as you are now, for, half-wise or wise, you can now make better judgments than we who are many. Answer as the layman you then were and I am now.