Paradox

72 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PARADOXthis possible? If the veiled figure is identical to Euclides, thenthe veiled figure has every property that Euclides has: thesame eye color, the same number of hairs, the same friends.Since Euclides has the property of being known to Socrates,the veiled figure must also have the property of being knownto Socrates.THE THEAETETUS FROM A EUCLIDESEAN PERSPECTIVEParadoxes of knowledge and identity are intensively discussedin Plato’s Theaetetus. Plato depicts Euclides as thechronicler of the philosophical exchange. Socrates’ partnersin dialogue are Theodorus, an old eminent mathematicianand his gifted sixteen-year-old student Theaetetus. Terspionhas been searching for Euclides at the Agora. Terspion finallyfinds his friend in the street near Euclides’ house in Megara.A somber Euclides explains that earlier in the day he wasgoing down to the harbor and saw Theaetetus. He was badlywounded and was being carried by the army from Corinth toAthens. Euclides advised Theaetetus to convalesce in Megarabut Theaetetus was intent on returning home.Euclides reminds Terspion of Socrates’ prophecy concerningTheaetetus: he would be a great man if he lived.This prediction brings to mind a remarkable conversationbetween Socrates, Theaetetus, and his mathematics teacher,Theodorus. Euclides witnessed the dialogue and took notes.Subsequently he reconstructed the dialogue with the helpof Socrates. Since Terspion is eager to hear the dialogue,Euclides invites him to his home so that they can rest whilehaving the dialogue read to them by one of Euclides’servants.