Sophist – Plato
STRANGER: But then, what is the meaning of STRANGER: Because motion would be at rest and these two words, ‘same’ and ‘other’? Are they rest in motion, for either of them, being predi-two new kinds other than the three, and yet al-cated of both, will compel the other to change ways of necessity intermingling with them, and into the opposite of its own nature, because par-are we to have five kinds instead of three; or taking of its opposite.
when we speak of the same and other, are we unconsciously speaking of one of the three first THEAETETUS: Quite true.
kinds?
STRANGER: Yet they surely both partake of the THEAETETUS: Very likely we are.
same and of the other?
STRANGER: But, surely, motion and rest are nei-THEAETETUS: Yes.
ther the other nor the same.
STRANGER: Then we must not assert that mo-THEAETETUS: How is that?
tion, any more than rest, is either the same or the other.
STRANGER: Whatever we attribute to motion and rest in common, cannot be either of them.
THEAETETUS: No; we must not.
THEAETETUS: Why not?
STRANGER: But are we to conceive that being and the same are identical?