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δεῖσθαι is governed by the idea of obligation carried on from ἀναγκαῖον. The alternative suggested by J. and C., that the infinitive depends on πέφυκεν, is impossible. ἐν τούτοις . τούτοις is neuter, like τούτων: otherwise ὑπὸ—ἐπιτηδευόντων is hardly necessary. The balance of clauses —‘in consequence of these circumstances, and amid these circumstances’—is also in favour of this—Schneider's—view. 489C - 491A So much for the ‘uselessness’ of the philosopher. But the most serious prejudice from which Philosophy suffers is owing to those who pretend to be philosophers when they are not. It is they who are meant, when people assert that the majority of philosophers are depraved. Let us endeavour to shew that Philosophy is not responsible for the corruption of the philosophic nature. The true philosopher, in spite of popular misconceptions, is, as we have seen, naturally a lover of Truth, and therefore possesses all the virtues of character already named. We have to enquire (1) how this disposition becomes in many cases depraved and (2) what is the character of the false philosophers who are responsible for the prejudice against Philosophy.
The Republic of Plato. James Adam. 1902. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.
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