[237c]
seriously, one of his pupils were asked to consider and answer the question “To what is the designation 'not-being' to be applied?” how do we think he would reply to his questioner, and how would he apply the term, for what purpose, and to what object?Theaetetus
That is a difficult question; I may say that for a fellow like me it is unanswerable.Stranger
But this is clear, anyhow, that the term “not-being” cannot be applied to any being.Theaetetus
Of course not.Stranger
And if not to being, then it could not properly be applied to something, either.Theaetetus
How could it?
That is a difficult question; I may say that for a fellow like me it is unanswerable.Stranger
But this is clear, anyhow, that the term “not-being” cannot be applied to any being.Theaetetus
Of course not.Stranger
And if not to being, then it could not properly be applied to something, either.Theaetetus
How could it?
