304
Str. But the power of deciding whether some action, no matter what, should be taken, either by persuasion or by some exercise of force, in relation to any person, or whether to take no action at all—to what science is that to be assigned?
304
Y. Soc. To the science which controls the sciences of persuasion and speech.
304
Str. And that would, I think, be no other than the function of the statesman.
304
Y. Soc. A most excellent conclusion.
304
Str. So rhetoric also seems to have been quickly separated from statesmanship Cf. 303 C. as a different species, subservient to the other.
304
Y. Soc. Yes.
304
Str. Here is another function or power; what are we to think about it?
304
Y. Soc. What is it?
304
Str. The power of determining how war shall be waged against those upon whom we have declared war, whether we are to call this a science or not a science?
304
Y. Soc. How could we think it is not a science, when generalship and all military activity practise it?
304
Str. And the power which is able and knows how to deliberate and decide whether to make war or peace, shall we assume that it is the same as this or different?
304
Y. Soc. If we are consistent, we must assume that it is different.
305
Str. Shall we, then, assume that it controls the other, if we are to agree with our views in the former examples?
305
Y. Soc. Yes.
305
Str. And what other art shall we make bold to declare is mistress of that great and terrible art, the art of war as a whole, except the truly kingly art?
305
Y. Soc. No other.
305
Str. We shall, then, not call the art of the generals statesmanship, since it is subservient.
305
Y. Soc. No; that would not be reasonable.
305
Str. Now let us examine the function of the righteous judges.
305
Y. Soc. Certainly.
