237
Stranger
Str. This statement involves the bold assumption that not-being exists, for otherwise falsehood could not come into existence. But the great Parmenides, my boy, from the time when we were children to the end of his life, always protested against this and constantly repeated both in prose and in verse:Never let this thought prevail, saith he, that not-being is;But keep your mind from this way of investigation.Parmenides Fr. 7 So that is his testimony, and a reasonable examination of the statement itself would make it most absolutely clear. Let us then consider this matter first, if it’s all the same to you.
Theaetetus
Theaet. Assume my consent to anything you wish. Consider only the argument, how it may best be pursued; follow your own course, and take me along with you.
Stranger
Str. Very well, then. Now tell me; do we venture to use the phrase absolute not-being?
Theaetetus
Theaet. Of course.
5
Stranger
Str. If, then, not merely for the sake of discussion or as a joke, but seriously, one of his pupils were asked to consider and answer the question To what is the designation not-being to be applied? how do we think he would reply to his questioner, and how would he apply the term, for what purpose, and to what object?
Theaetetus
Theaet. That is a difficult question; I may say that for a fellow like me it is unanswerable.
Stranger
Str. But this is clear, anyhow, that the term not-being cannot be applied to any being.
Theaetetus
Theaet. Of course not.
Stranger
Str. And if not to being, then it could not properly be applied to something, either.
10
Theaetetus
Theaet. How could it?
