108
Soc. And was not the art here gymnastic?
108
Alc. To be sure.
108
Soc. And I said that the better Socrates means by better or the better way the general method of attaining excellence in any art. in the case of wrestling was gymnastic.
108
Alc. You did.
108
Soc. And I was quite fair?
108
Alc. I think so.
108
Soc. Come then, in your turn—for it would befit you also, I fancy, to argue fairly Socrates here repeats καλῶς (which means handsomely as well as correctly) in allusion to Alcibiades’ good looks. Cf. Plat. Alc.1 113b—tell me, first, what is the art which includes harping and singing and treading the measure correctly? What is it called as a whole? You cannot yet tell me?
108
Alc. No, indeed.
108
Soc. Well, try another way: who are the goddesses that foster the art?
108
Alc. The Muses, you mean, Socrates?
108
Soc. I do. Now, just think, and say by what name the art is called after them.
108
Alc. Music, Music with the Greeks included poetry and dancing as well as our music. I suppose you mean.
108
Soc. Yes, I do. And what is that which proceeds correctly by its rule? As in the other case I was correct in mentioning to you gymnastic as that which goes by the art, so I ask you, accordingly, what you say in this case. What manner of proceeding is required?
108
Alc. A musical one, I suppose.
108
Soc. You are right. Come then, what is it that you term better, in respect of what is better in waging war and being at peace? Just as in our other instances you said that the better implied the more musical and again, in the parallel case, the more gymnastical, try now if you can tell me what is the better in this case.
108
Alc. But I am quite unable.
