Socrates and Plato at the Ocean

The parable of Socrates holding Plato under water until he fights for air — when you want wisdom as badly as you wanted to breathe, then you will have it. Carried on the Roam page with Kyle’s own caveat attached: likely apocryphal and unverified, which is the right way to keep a story you still find useful.

Notes

• Source:: Link
• Note:: Likely apocryphal and unverified
• Full Text::
  • Legend has it that one day Socrates and Plato were walking down the beach, deep in conversation and Plato had expressed to Socrates his desire to gain the wisdom and knowledge that Socrates had.  Socrates didn’t answer him, but instead said, “Walk with me into the ocean.”  So, they turned and walked into the sea together.
  • Now, in your imagination, picture that happening: Student and teacher, two of the greatest philosophers of history, striding into the surf side by side.
  • The water started out around their ankles, then rose up to their knees. As the water got higher Plato wondered to himself, “What is the lesson my master is trying to teach me?”
  • When the water was shoulder height, Socrates asked Plato, “What is it exactly you want from me?” “Knowledge,” Plato answered, at which point Socrates abruptly grabbed Plato’s head and pushed him down under the water. After a half a minute or so Socrates let Plato up and asked him again, “What is it you want?” “Knowledge,” was again Plato’s answer, at which point Socrates shoved him back down under the water.
  • After a time, when Plato ran out of air, he began to struggle to get his head above the surface. He punched and kicked and grabbed to get free, but Socrates was a strong man and held him down. At the last moment before Plato blacked out, Socrates let him up and asked that same simple question, “What is it you want?” Plato coughed and spluttered finally responding, “Air! I need air!”
  • “When you desire knowledge as much as you desired a breath of air, then you shall have it.” Socrates