meno   

recollection? He did not know at first, and he does not know now, what

is the side of a figure of eight feet: but then he thought that he

knew, and answered confidently as if he knew, and had no difficulty;

now he has a difficulty, and neither knows nor fancies that he knows.

Men. True.

Soc. Is he not better off in knowing his ignorance?

Men. I think that he is.

Soc. If we have made him doubt, and given him the "torpedo's shock,"

have we done him any harm?

Men. I think not.

Soc. We have certainly, as would seem, assisted him in some degree

to the discovery of the truth; and now he will wish to remedy his

ignorance, but then he would have been ready to tell all the world

again and again that the double space should have a double side.

Men. True.

Soc. But do you suppose that he would ever have enquired into or

learned what he fancied that he knew, though he was really ignorant of

it, until he had fallen into perplexity under the idea that he did not

know, and had desired to know?

Men. I think not, Socrates.

Soc. Then he was the better for the torpedo's touch?

Men. I think so.

Soc. Mark now the farther development. I shall only ask him, and not

teach him, and he shall share the enquiry with me: and do you watch

and see if you find me telling or explaining anything to him,

instead of eliciting his opinion. Tell me, boy, is not this a square

of four feet which I have drawn?

Boy. Yes.

Soc. And now I add another square equal to the former one?

Boy. Yes.

Soc. And a third, which is equal to either of them?

Boy. Yes.