The Dialogues of Plato (Jowett)/Protagoras Introduction

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The Dialogues of Plato
by Plato

Protagoras Introduction by Benjamin Jowett

Protagoras (the Dialogue)

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3748028The Dialogues of Plato — Protagoras IntroductionBenjamin Jowett

PROTAGORAS.

INTRODUCTION.

The Protagoras, Protagoras.
Analysis.like several of the Dialogues of Plato, is put into the mouth of Socrates, who describes a conversation which had taken place between himself and the great Sophist at the house of Callias — ' the man who had spent more upon the Sophists than all the rest of the world' — and in which the learned Hippias and the grammarian Prodicus had also shared, as well as Alcibiades and Critias, both of whom said a few words—in the presence of a distinguished company consisting of disciples of Protagoras and of leading Athenians belonging to the Socratic ^{Steph. 310} circle. The dialogue commences with a request on the part of Hippocrates that Socrates would introduce him to the celebrated teacher. He has come before the dawn had risen—so fervid is his ³¹¹ zeal. Socrates moderates his excitement and advises him to find out 'what Protagoras will make of him,' before he becomes his pupil.

³¹⁴ They go together to the house of Callias; and Socrates, after explaining the purpose of their visit to Protagoras, asks the ³¹⁸ question, 'What he will make of Hippocrates.' Protagoras answers, 'That he will make him a better and a wiser man.' ' But in what will he be better?'—Socrates desires to have a more ³¹⁹ precise answer. Protagoras replies, 'That he will teach him prudence in affairs private and public ; in short, the science or knowledge of human life.'

This, as Socrates admits, is a noble profession; but he is or rather would have been doubtful, whether such knowledge can be taught, if Protagoras had not assured him of the fact, for two reasons: (1) Because the Athenian people, who recognize in their assemblies the distinction between the skilled and the unskilled in the arts, do not distinguish between the trained politician and

Protagoras.
Analysis. the untrained ; (2) Because the wisest and best Athenian citizens ³²⁰ Analysis, do not teach their sons political virtue. Will Protagoras answer these objections ? Protagoras explains his views in the form of an apologue, in which, after Prometheus had given men the arts, Zeus is repre- ³²¹ sented as sending Hermes to them, bearing with him Justice and Reverence. These are not, like the arts, to be imparted to a few ³²² only, but all men are to be partakers of them. Therefore the ³²³ Athenian people are right in distinguishing between the skilled and unskilled in the arts, and not between skilled and unskilled politicians, (i) For all men have the political virtues to a certain degree, and are obliged to say that they have them, whether they have them or not. A man would bo thought a madman who professed an art which he did not know ; but he would be equally thought a madman if he did not profess a virtue which he had not. (2) And that the political virtues can be taught and acquired, in ³²⁴ the opinion of the Athenians, is proved by the fact that they punish evil-doers, with a view to prevention, of course— mere ³²⁵ retribution is for beasts, and not for men. (3) Again, would parents who teach their sons lesser matters leave them ignorant of the common duty of citizens.? To the doubt of Socrates the best answer is the fact, that the education of youth in virtue begins almost as soon as they can speak, and is continued by the state ³²⁶ when they pass out of the parental control. (4) Nor need we wonder that wise and good fathers sometimes have foolish and worthless sons. Virtue, as we were saying, is not the private ³²⁷ possession of any man, but is shared by all, only however to the extent of which each individual is by nature capable. And, as a matter of fact, even the worst of civilized mankind will appear virtuous and just, if we compare them with savages. (5) The ³²⁸ error of Socrates lies in supposing that there are no teachers of virtue, whereas all men are teachers in a degree. Some, like Protagoras, are better than others, and with this result we ought to be satisfied. Socrates is highly delighted with the explanation of Protagoras. ³²⁹ But he has still a doubt lingering in his mind. Protagoras has spoken of the virtues : are they many, or one ? are they parts of a ³³⁰ whole, or different names of the same thing ? Protagoras replies

PROTAGORAS.

PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE.

Socrates, who is the narrator of
the Dialogue to his Companion.

Hippocrates.

Protagoras,	$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$ Sophists.
Prodicus,
Hippias,

Alcibiades.

Callias, a wealthy Athenian.

Critias.

Scene:—The House of Callias.

^{Steph. 309}

Protagoras.
Companion, Socrates.

The fair Alcibiades.

COMPANION. Where do you come from, Socrates? And yet I need hardly ask the question, for I know that you have been compan in chase of the fair Alcibiades. I saw him the day before yesterday ; and he had got a beard like a man,—and he is a man, as I may tell you in your ear. But I thought that he was still very charming.

Socrates. What of his beard ? Are you not of Homer's opinion, who says^[1]

'Youth is most charming when the beard first appears'?

And that is now the charm of Alcibiades.

Com. Well, and how do matters proceed ? Have you been visiting him, and was he gracious to you ?

Soc. Yes, I thought that he was very gracious ; and espe- cially to-day, for I have just come from him, and he has been helping me in an argument. But shall I tell you a strange thing ? I paid no attention to him, and several times I quite forgot that he was present.

Com. What is the meaning of this? Has anything hap- pened between you and him ? For surely you cannot have discovered a fairer love than he is ; certainly not in this city of Athens.

But there is a fairer still. Soc. Yes, much fairer.

Com. What do you mean—a citizen or a foreigner?

Protagoras.
Socrates, Companion, Hippocrates. Soc. A foreigner.

Com. Of what country ?

Soc. Of Abdera.

Com. And is tliis stranger really in your opinion a fairer love than the son of Cleinias ?

The fairer is the wiser, and the wisest of all men is Protagoras. Soc. And is not the wiser always the fairer, sweet friend ?

Com. But have you really met, Socrates, with some wise one?

Soc. Say rather, with the wisest of all living men, if you are willing to accord that title to Protagoras.

Com. What ! Is Protagoras in Athens ?

Soc. Yes ; he has been here two days.

Com. And do you just come from an interview with him ?

Soc. Yes; and I have heard and said many things. ³¹⁰

Com. Then, if you have no engagement, suppose that you sit down and tell me what passed, and my attendant here shall give up his place to you.

Soc. To be sure ; and I shall be grateful to you for listening.

Com. Thank you, too, for telling us.

Soc. That is thank you twice over. Listen then:—

He is actually in Athens, and Hippocrates has come to bring the good news to Socrates. Last night, or rather very early this morning, Hippocrates, the son of Apollodorus and the brother of Phason, gave a tremendous thump with his staff at my door ; some one opened to him, and he came rushing in and bawled out : Socrates, are you awake or asleep ?

I knew his voice, and said : Hippocrates, is that you ? and do you bring any news ?

Good news, he said ; nothing but good.

Delightful, I said ; but what is the news ? and why have you come hither at this unearthly hour ?

He drew nearer to me and said : Protagoras is come.

Yes, I replied ; he came two days ago : have you only just heard of his arrival ?

Yes, by the gods, he said ; but not until yesterday evening.

↑ Il. xxiv. 348.

[1] Il. xxiv. 348.

[1]