THEAETETUS: What?

STRANGER: Let us, if we can, really improve them; but if this is not

possible, let us imagine them to be better than they are, and more

willing to answer in accordance with the rules of argument, and then

their opinion will be more worth having; for that which better men

acknowledge has more weight than that which is acknowledged by inferior

men. Moreover we are no respecters of persons, but seekers after truth.

THEAETETUS: Very good.

STRANGER: Then now, on the supposition that they are improved, let us

ask them to state their views, and do you interpret them.

THEAETETUS: Agreed.

STRANGER: Let them say whether they would admit that there is such a

thing as a mortal animal.

THEAETETUS: Of course they would.

STRANGER: And do they not acknowledge this to be a body having a soul?

THEAETETUS: Certainly they do.

STRANGER: Meaning to say that the soul is something which exists?

Sophist