Characters: Kelsey, Aristotle K: Hey, excuse me, but... A: Hm? K: Sorry to be a pain, but I'm looking for....something. My cat, actually. She's been missing for some time now, and I think I'm beginning to get a little upset over it. A: And how would this cat have looked?
K: White. With orange stripes, like butterscotch in milk. Have you seen her? Anything at all would help.
A: Allow me a moment to reflect on recent events in case I can recall such an animal... K: Uh, sure. How long do you need?
A: A moment, please. ...Mmm...No, indeed, nothing in my memory matches what you've described to me. K: Oh... Well... Thanks anyway. I appreciate your effort.
A: ...Would I be mistaken to think that there might be something troubling you? Your color is out of sorts.
K: No, no problem. All's well. ...I mean, more or less... No, well, I suppose it's not. To tell you the truth, I'm having doubts about this whole business I'm in right now. A: What is it that troubles you?
K: Well, for starters, I really am upset about my cat. Like I said, she's been gone a while, and it isn't like her to do so. But furthermore, I'm not even entirely sure I should be looking for her anymore. A: What would give you such a notion?
K: Well, I ran into two other guys before you, you see, and they were both pretty persistent in making me reconsider this whole thing. Finding my cat, I mean.
A: Allow me to ask what manner of person with whom you spoke could have prompted you to think in this way.
K: Oh, sure. Well, the first one was an older gentleman. A bit up-front, though. He wanted me to tell him what a cat is , per se. That's absurd, isn't it, having someone ask you what something like a cat is! I mean, who doesn't know what a cat is, for crying out loud. And then the second guy was no better! He didn't get on my case about what a cat is or anything, but he asked me why I'd even bother looking for my cat if my cat isn't "perfect." As if that were relevant somehow.... But after thinking about it for a long time now, something has occured to me.
A: And what would that be?
K: Well, okay, so I can't explain what a cat is exactly without referring to other things, which I guess means that perhaps I can't even know what a cat is without knowing a lot of other things, things that aren't cats in themselves, but are parts of cats or make up cats or something... Anyway, that isn't a really big deal, I guess. And neither is the fact that my cat isn't perfect. A: Then what is it that pales you so and brings you think twice of the purpose of your search?
K: You see, sir, I don' really understand what these two men are saying, but still, they seem to know very well what they're talking about...and they're also obviously my seniors. A: Yes?
K: Well, if two men who are older and wiser than me think I should give up, there must be something they understand that I don't! Perhaps they're right... A: Before you solidify your opinions on what or what not to do, I wonder if I might not add a few words for the purposes of clarifying some of what I've heard from you now. K: Please, go ahead. I didn't mean to go on like that. A: It is nothing to apologize for. The two men you encountered were with all certainty the two I will detail from here, both whom I owe the essence of my own ideas but have differed in time from considerably.
K: ...Okay... A: Firstly, the former man you speak of was more than likely the renowned Socrates of Athens. He's known throughout the city, and possibly even beyond, for his profound manner of speak, despite what degree of eloquence he may lack. His tongue is sharp, and to answer his questions is to invite him to leave you in wonder of what you previously believed to be true. However, you must not confuse his monologue for a proposition that cats do not exist or cannot be studied. Socrates only wishes to have us see that we do not ever know what we think we know, that we must carry with us a steadfast skepticism toward the world around us and everything within it.
K: Wow. When you put it that way, it sounds very reasonable.
A: The latter man, I am without any doubt, was Plato, my old teacher and mentor.
K: Your teacher ?
A: It is not to be understated how critically Plato influenced my thought, and for this he has my gratitude. To understand what Plato says, you must be aware of how he comprehends the world and all that is in it.
K: He mentioned something about "original ideas," or something like that at the time. He talked about it as though it were something outside of this world... A: Reality, according to Plato, is not even or completely equal. Some things, he says, are more real than others. Those things that are more real, that is, substantiate themselves more real than other things, are things that do not change with time, neither in proportion or substance. In fact, the only things that do not change as such are the forms of things, he purports. Meanwhile, those things that do change in proportion or substance over time must be deemed less real , and as such, they acquire what substantiates them from those things more real than themselves. To put it differently, a round discus can never be perfectly round, and yet there is such a thing as a perfect circle, one of 180 degrees and without any straight lines to speak of.
K: Oh...I think I see. The round thing isn't a perfect circle, so maybe it's less "real" than the concept of a perfect circle? A: Ah, but you must not be led to think then that a perfect circle is merely a concept. Plato would say that the perfect circle exists for sure outside of thought, but that in our lives we will never see a perfect circle, only imitations of it in the objects around us. Of course, we all agree that imitations are less real in some way than the original thing they imitate.
K: Right....I think I'm beginning to get the idea. A: The problem with what Plato is proposing, however, is that these forms -- which is to say, those things more real, like perfect circles or beauty -- exist outside of the things around us. That is where he confuses people with his talk of separate worlds and so forth.
K: So what is it that you propose, Mr....?
A: Aristotle.
K: Ah. Excuse me. Mr. Aristotle, what do you think of all this? Is my cat less real than some "original cat" somewhere? Is it just a figment of my imagination? Should I even be looking for her?
A: What I beg to differ from Plato on is the matter of the existence of form beyond these things themselves. Form is certainly important, but I insist that to understand a thing you must also know what matter it consists of, what brought it to be, and for what ultimate end it is meant to serve. These four things, form, material, efficience, and purpose , are the causes for everything you see and experience. And as it is the case that neither form can be had without material, nor material be had without form, it is my firm conviction that form exists entirely within these things, coexisting with its other causes to make it what it is. Your cat is no exception. We need only to examine the details of your cat carefully to understand what she is and where she may be going.
K: That's great! Wow, I think you might actually help me find my Tiger!
A: Your tiger? Was it not a cat we were in pursuit of?
K: Nevermind that. Now, I'm still confused about one point in what you said. A: Yes?
Speak your mind.
K: It's the word you used, "efficience." What do you mean by that?
A: I only mean by this to speak of that which brings things about, brings them into existence. It entails their maker, if they have one, their assembling and mantling, their history.
K: Their history?...Yes, yes, I see what you mean now! I only need to know the history of my cat in detail to understand why she is the cat she is now. Where she came from.....and where she might be going from here! Thank you, Mr. Aristocrat!
A: Ah, the name is Aristotle. ...Uh, where are you going?
K: Well, it's simple isn't it? I'm off to travel backwards to find my cat. A: Ahh, that is not what I meant-- K: To understand where my cat is going now, I have to understand how she got here, her history, her past. There's one and only one solution: I have to go back in time to find my cat! Now listen to the questions. If you don't understand something, ask either Kelsey or your tutor for help. Send your answers to Kelsey in the Writing Section at LingQ or tell Kelsey your answers in a conversation with him in the Speaking Section. You don't have to answer all the questions. Good luck!
