Knowing the soul
SocratesEvery great art needs idle talk and lofty speculation about nature. That seems to be where high-mindedness and thorough achievement come from. Pericles gained this in addition to his natural gifts. He met Anaxagoras, I think, and steeped himself in his study of the heavens and in the nature of mind and thought, subjects on which Anaxagoras had much to say. From there he drew what was useful to the art of speech.
PhaedrusWhat do you mean?
SocratesThe art of medicine and the art of rhetoric seem to follow the same method.
PhaedrusHow so?
SocratesIn both, you must analyse a nature, the body’s in one and the soul’s in the other, if you mean to proceed not by routine and experience alone but by art, using medicines and food to give the body health and strength, and words and lawful practices to give the soul the conviction and virtue you want.
PhaedrusThat seems likely, Socrates.