965
Athenian
Ath. Did we not sayCp. Plat. Laws 903c, Plat. Laws 903d, Plat. Laws 961e. that he who is a first-class craftsman or warden, in any department, must not only be able to pay regard to the many, but must be able also to press towards the OneCp. Plat. Rep. 537b ff., where the dialectic method is described as a kind of induction (συναγωγή) whereby the mind ascends from the many particulars to the one universal concept or idea: a comprehensive view (σύνοψις) of the whole is what marks the dialectician (ὁ συνοπτικὸς διαλεκτικός). so as to discern it and, on discerning it, to survey and organize all the rest with a single eye to it?
Clinias
Clin. Quite right.
Athenian
Ath. Can any man get an accurate vision and view of any object better than by being able to look from the many and dissimilar to the one unifying form?
Clinias
Clin. Probably not.
10
Athenian
Ath. It is certain, my friend, rather than probable, that no man can possibly have a clearer method than this.
Clinias
Clin. I believe you, Stranger, and I assent; so let us employ this method in our subsequent discourse.