Single Idea 20478

[catalogued under 2. Reason / C. Styles of Reason / 2. Elenchus]

Full Idea

They collect someone's opinions together during the discussion, put them side by side, and show that they conflict with each other at the same time on the same subjects.... The person sees this, gets angry at themselves, and calmer towards others.

Gist of Idea

In discussion a person's opinions are shown to be in conflict, leading to calm self-criticism

Source

Plato (The Sophist [c.358 BCE], 230b)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Complete Works', ed/tr. Cooper,John M. [Hackett 1997], p.250


A Reaction

He goes on to say that the process is like a doctor purging a patient of internal harms. If anyone talks for long enough (even a good philosopher), their opinions will probably be seen to be in conflict. But which opinions do you abandon?