Book 7
820
Ath. Problems concerning the essential nature of the commensurable and the incommensurable. For students who are not to be absolutely worthless it is necessary to examine these and to distinguish the two kinds, and, by proposing such problems one to another, to compete in a game that is worthy of them,—for this is a much more refined pastime than draughts for old men.
820
Clin. No doubt. And, after all, draughts and these studies do not seem to be so very far apart.
820
Ath. I assert, then, Clinias, that these subjects must be learnt by the young; for they are, in truth, neither harmful nor hard, and when learnt by way of play they will do no damage at all to our State, but will do it good. Should anyone disagree, however, we must listen to him.
820
Clin. Of course.
820
Ath. Well then, if this is clearly the case, obviously we shall adopt these subjects; but if it seems clearly to be otherwise, we shall rule them out.
820
Clin. Yes, obviously.
820
Ath. Shall we not, then, lay these down as necessary subjects of instruction, so that there may be no gap in our code of laws? Yet we ought to lay them down provisionally—like pledges capable of redemption—apart from the rest of our constitution, in case they fail to satisfy either us who enact them or you for whom they are enacted.
820
Clin. Yes, that is the right way to lay them down.
820
Ath. Consider next whether or not we approve of the children learning astronomy.
820
Clin. Just tell us your opinion.
820
Ath. About this there is a very strange fact—indeed, quite intolerable.
821
Clin. What is that?
821
Ath. We commonly assert that men ought not to enquire concerning the greatest god and about the universe, nor busy themselves in searching out their causes, since it is actually impious to do so; whereas the right course, in all probability, is exactly the opposite.
821
Clin. Explain yourself.
