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Section 537

SOCRATES. Does not Homer speak in many places, and quite fully, about arts? For instance, chariot driving. If I can remember the verses, I will recite them to you.

ION. I will recite them! I remember them.

SOCRATES. Tell me, then, what Nestor says to his son Antilochus, advising him to be careful at the turning post in the horse race in honor of Patroclus.

ION. "Lean yourself in the well-built chariot A little to the left of the horses; but call to the right-hand horse And goad him on, giving him slack in the reins. Let your left-hand horse closely skim the turning post, So that the hub of the well-made wheel seems To touch the edge; but avoid striking the stone."

SOCRATES. That is enough. Now, Ion, who would know better whether Homer speaks correctly here or not: a doctor or a charioteer?

ION. A charioteer, certainly.

SOCRATES. Because he possesses that specific art, or for some other reason?

ION. Because he possesses the art.

SOCRATES. Has not a specific capability been granted to each of the arts by the god to know a particular work? For we do not know the things known by the art of piloting through the art of medicine, do we?

ION. Of course not.

SOCRATES. Nor the things known by medicine through the art of building?

ION. No.

SOCRATES. And is this not true for all arts? What we know by one art we do not know by another? But first answer me this: do you agree that there is one art, and another that is different?

ION. Yes.

SOCRATES. I judge that when one kind of knowledge is about one thing, and another kind of knowledge is about another thing, they are two different arts. Is that how you judge it too?

ION. Yes.