400
Socrates
Socrates. Do you think there is anything which holds and carries the whole nature of the body, so that it lives and moves, except the soul?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. No; nothing.
Socrates
Socrates. Well, and do you not believe the doctrine of Anaxagoras, that it is mind or soul which orders and holds the nature of all things?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. I do.
5
Socrates
Socrates. Then there would be an admirable fitness in calling that power which carries and holds (ἔχει) nature (φύσιν) φυσέχη and this may be refined and pronounced ψυχή.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Certainly; and I think this is a more scientific explanation than the other.
Socrates
Socrates. Yes, it is. But it seems actually absurd that the name was given with such truth.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Now what shall we say about the next word?
Socrates
Socrates. You mean body (σῶμα)?
10
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Yes.
Socrates
Socrates. I think this admits of many explanations, if a little, even very little, change is made; for some say it is the tomb (σῆμα) of the soul, their notion being that the soul is buried in the present life; and again, because by its means the soul gives any signs which it gives, it is for this reason also properly called sign (σῆμα). But I think it most likely that the Orphic poets gave this name, with the idea that the soul is undergoing punishment for something; they think it has the body as an enclosure to keep it safe, like a prison, and this is, as the name itself denotes, the safe (σῶμα) for the soul, until the penalty is paid, and not even a letter needs to be changed.
