117
Soc. And you say you are bewildered in answering about just and unjust, noble and base, evil and good, expedient and inexpedient? Now, is it not obvious that your bewilderment is caused by your ignorance of these things?
117
Alc. I agree.
117
Soc. Then is it the case that when a man does not know a thing he must needs be bewildered in spirit regarding that thing?
117
Alc. Yes, of course.
117
Soc. Well now, do you know in what way you can ascend to heaven?
117
Alc. On my word, not I.
117
Soc. Is that too a kind of question about which your judgement is bewildered?
117
Alc. No, indeed.
117
Soc. Do you know the reason, or shall I state it?
117
Alc. State it.
117
Soc. It is, my friend, that while not knowing the matter you do not suppose that you know it.
117
Alc. Here again, how do you mean?
117
Soc. Do your share, in seeing for yourself. Are you bewildered about the kind of thing that you do not know and are aware of not knowing? For instance, you know, I suppose, that you do not know about the preparation of a tasty dish?
117
Alc. Quite so.
117
Soc. Then do you think for yourself how you are to prepare it, and get bewildered, or do you entrust it to the person who knows?
117
Alc. I do the latter.
117
Soc. And what if you should be on a ship at sea? Would you think whether the tiller should be moved inwards or outwards, The tiller was the handle of an oar at the side of the stern, and was moved towards or away from the center of the ship. and in your ignorance bewilder yourself, or would you entrust it to the helmsman, and be quiet?
117
Alc. I would leave it to him.
117
Soc. So you are not bewildered about what you do not know, so long as you know that you do not know?
117
Alc. It seems I am not,
117
Soc. Then do you note that mistakes in action also are due to this ignorance of thinking one knows when one does not?
117
Alc. Here again, how do you mean?
117
Soc. We set about acting, I suppose, when we think we know what we are doing?
117
Alc. Yes.
117
Soc. But when people think they do not know, I suppose they hand it over to others?
117
Alc. To be sure.
