Xxxxx and Simmias Sample Clauses

Xxxxx and Simmias. To begin with, Xxxxxxxx’ interlocutors do not seem to consider Xxxxxxxx their rival. They do not oppose Xxxxxxxx with the intention of refuting him and winning the debate. For instance, Xxxxx asks for an investigation into the immortality of the soul since the issue requires further inquiry and support.157 That said, Xxxxx’ eagerness alone is not sufficient to call him a good interlocutor. Besides his eagerness, Xxxxx seems to have some knowledge about the immortality of the soul. For example, it is Xxxxx who alludes to the theory of recollection, according to which ‘our learning is in fact nothing but recollection…we must presumably have learned in some previous time what we recollect now. And that would be impossible if our soul did not exist somewhere before it was born in this human form. So in this way too the soul seems to be something immortal’.158 For Xxxxx, this is an excellent theory, which proves that we have knowledge and the true account in us and learning is actually remembering. 159 Cebes’ introduction of the theory of recollection has another implication. In addition to the fact that Xxxxx knows some arguments about the immortality of the soul, its introduction by Xxxxx suggests that he is willing to support Xxxxxxxx’ argument; otherwise, he would not bring the theory of recollection up, which is in favour of the immortality of the soul. That said, Xxxxx does not put all his trust in the theory of 156 For the mimetic aspect of the dialogues that invites the readers to the path of philosophy through the characters see XxXxx 2016, 54-55.