The Same Thing In Plato's Argument
The principle stated at 436c, that the same thing cannot do, be or undergo opposite things in the same respect, in relation to the same thing, at the same time is a basic premise in Plato’s argument. This principle supports the conclusion stated in 439c, that if we are thirsty and rejecting the drink at the same time, there is something in the soul urging us to drink and something different stopping us. At first, I am going to reconstruct the argument, then try to show how the argument works, and why this principle is so important. The argument is:
P1 The same thing cannot do, be or undergo opposite things in the same respect, in relation to the same thing, at the same time.
P2 If opposite things are done in the same respect, at the same …show more content…
One of the examples is the archer, who draws the bow toward himself and pushes it away at the same time. Another one is the spinning top, that seems to be moving and standing still at the same time. According to P1 none of this cases is possible if we assume, that opposite things are done in the same respect. So, we apply P3 and say, that in these cases opposite things are done in different respects to the archer or spinning tops. To make it possible, that something is done in different respects of the thing itself, it seems to be right to distinguish different elements of the thing. So, if the archer does opposite things in relation to the bow at the same time, we must distinguish his two hands, one pushes the bow away and the other draws it toward him. Just the same happens to the spinning top. To say that the spinning top is moving and standing still at the same time in the same respect of itself contradicts P1; so, here again, we have to distinguish two different things within the spinning top, in respect of which opposite things could be done. That is why we say that the same spinning top has a straight axis and a circumference. With respect to the straight axis, it stands still, while with respect to the circumference it
P1 The same thing cannot do, be or undergo opposite things in the same respect, in relation to the same thing, at the same time.
P2 If opposite things are done in the same respect, at the same …show more content…
One of the examples is the archer, who draws the bow toward himself and pushes it away at the same time. Another one is the spinning top, that seems to be moving and standing still at the same time. According to P1 none of this cases is possible if we assume, that opposite things are done in the same respect. So, we apply P3 and say, that in these cases opposite things are done in different respects to the archer or spinning tops. To make it possible, that something is done in different respects of the thing itself, it seems to be right to distinguish different elements of the thing. So, if the archer does opposite things in relation to the bow at the same time, we must distinguish his two hands, one pushes the bow away and the other draws it toward him. Just the same happens to the spinning top. To say that the spinning top is moving and standing still at the same time in the same respect of itself contradicts P1; so, here again, we have to distinguish two different things within the spinning top, in respect of which opposite things could be done. That is why we say that the same spinning top has a straight axis and a circumference. With respect to the straight axis, it stands still, while with respect to the circumference it