127

Logic IV. 133
not have failed to mention such an extraordinary occurence. For Plato to surrender the theory of ideas was a comparatively small thing. Yet we are told distinctly that he did so; and that even by Aristotle whom delicacy naturally presented from emphasizing the matter much, sunce it was he wo convinced his master. Now since Parmenides, with Zeno concurring, obviously never [did?] so [decant?] it is plain that the meaning must be that Plato, who is represented by Parmenides, decants. Another support of this third argument is that it explains why the [Doamalis?] [Person?] all consist of Socrates, Parmenides, Zeno and Aristotle. Socrates, who seems to play hardly any part was needed; because it was Socrates who had always been represented as the author of the theory of ideas. Parmenides is needed as representing Plato himself. Zeno is introduced , in order that he may assent to some remarks which Plato has to make concerning his books, --remarks which might be understood as a reflection upon Zeno's character were he not represented as fully assenting to them and explaining [?] anything. Aristotle is naturally indispensible as the mind which under Plato's