All Our Yesterdays
"To the last
syllable of recorded time, and all our yesterdays. . ." (Macbeth V.v.)
A series of brief articles
dealing with Human Pre-existence
by Arthur & Rosalind Eedle.
26. Plato's writings (2)
Some
of our readers may wonder why we should have considered these ancient Greek
philosophers at all, seeing that, (as evangelicals have been taught) Paul
condemned them in his letters, particularly that to the Colossians. But the
trouble arises from ignorance, rather than truth. Those who have studied
Plato will at once recognise a philosophy that is clean, logical, satisfying,
and for the most part TRUE. We might add that Socrates was
finally condemned before a Court, and required to drink Hemlock, from which he
died. Shall we not honour him, who died in the pursuit of TRUTH? Was he not, in
his own way, reaching out towards the One whose name is TRUTH? Just because he
had no contact with
Our
second quote is from MENO, and is a discussion between Socrates and Meno, also with Meno's slave boy. We take up the
dialogue just after Socrates has questioned the slave boy about his
understanding of geometry, whereby the truth of Pythagoras's theorem is
elicited.
Soc.
What do you say of him, Meno? Were not all these answers given out of his own
head?
Men.
Yes, they were all his own.
Soc.
And yet, as we were just now saying, he did not know?
Men.
True.
Soc.
And yet he had those notions in him?
Men.
Yes.
Soc.
Then he who does not know still has true notions of that which he does not
know?
Men.
He has.
Soc.
And at present these notions are just wakening up in him, as in a dream; but if
he were frequently asked the same questions, in different forms, he would know
as well as anyone at last?
Men.
I dare say.
Soc.
Without anyone teaching him, he will recover his knowledge for himself, if he
is only asked questions?
Men.
Yes.
Soc.
And this spontaneous recovery in him is recollection?
Men.
True.
Soc.
And this knowledge which he now has, must he not either have acquired or always
possessed?
Men.
Yes.
Soc.
But if he always possessed this knowledge he would always have known; or if he
has acquired the knowledge, he could not have acquired it in this life, unless
he has been taught geometry; for he may be made to do the same with all
geometry and every other branch of knowledge. Now, has any one ever taught him?
You must know that, if as you say, he was born and bred in your house.
Men.
And I am certain that no one ever did teach him.
Soc.
And yet has he not the knowledge?
Men.
That, Socrates, is most certain.
Soc.
But if he did not acquire this knowledge in this life, then clearly he must
have had and learned it at some other time?
Men.
That is evident.
Soc.
And that must have been the time when he was not a man?
Men.
Yes.
Soc.
And if there have always been true thoughts in him, both at the time when he
was and was not a man, which only need to be awakened into knowledge by putting
questions to him, his soul must always have possessed this knowledge, for he
always either was or was not a man?
Men.
That is clear.
Soc.
And if the truth
of all things existed in the soul, then the soul is immortal. Wherefore be
of good cheer, and try to recollect what you do not know, or rather do not
remember.
Men.
I feel somehow, that I like what you are saying.
Soc.
And I, Meno, like what I am saying. Some things I have said of which I am not
altogether confident. But that we shall be better and braver and less helpless
if we think that we ought to enquire, than we should have been if we indulged
in the idle fancy that there was no knowing and no use in searching after what
we know not; that is a theme on which I am ready to fight, in word and deed, to
the utmost of my power.