Categoria: Parmênides

Let thus much be said ; and further let us affirm what seems to be the truth, that, whether one is or is not, one and the others in relation to themselves and one another, all of them, in every way, are and are not, and appear to be and appear not to be. Most…

Once more, let us go back to the beginning, and ask if the one is not, and the others of the one are, what will follow. Let us ask that question. In the first place, the others will not be one ? Impossible. Nor will they be many ; for if they were many one…

Yet once more ; if one is not, what becomes of the others ? Let us determine that. Yes ; let us determine that. The others must surely be ; for if they, like the one, were not, we could not be now speaking of them. True. But to speak of the others implies difference…

And now, let us go back once more to the beginning, and see whether these or some other consequences will follow. Let us do as you say. If one is not, we ask what will happen in respect of one ? That is the question. Yes. Do not the words “is not” signify absence of…

Well, and ought we not to consider next what will be the consequence if the one is not ? Yes ; we ought. What is the meaning of the hypothesis — If the one is not ; is there any difference between this and the hypothesis — If the not one is not ? There…

Suppose, now, that we leave the further discussion of these matters as evident, and consider again upon the hypothesis that the one is, whether opposite of all this is or is not equally true of the others. By all means. Then let us begin again, and ask, If one is, what must be the affections…

But if one is, what will happen to the others — is not that also to be considered ? Yes. Let us show then, if one is, what will be the affections of the others than the one. Let us do so. Inasmuch as there are things other than the one, the others are not…

Yet once more and for the third time, let us consider : If the one is both one and many, as we have described, and is, neither one nor many, and participates in time, must it not, in as far as it is one, at times partake of being, and in as far as it…

Suppose, now, that we return once more to the original hypothesis ; let us see whether, on a further review, any new aspect of the question appears. I shall be very happy to do so. We say that we have to work out together all the consequences, whatever they may be, which follow, if the…