Pagina 513 di 1391

The first wave having been passed, we proceed to the

second-community of wives and children. 'Is it possible? Is it

desirable?' For as Glaucon intimates, and as we far more strongly

insist, 'Great doubts may be entertained about both these

points.' Any free discussion of the question is impossible, and

mankind are perhaps right in not allowing the ultimate bases of

social life to be examined. Few of us can safely enquire into the

things which nature hides, any more than we can dissect our own

bodies. Still, the manner in which Plato arrived at his

conclusions should be considered. For here, as Mr. Grote has

remarked, is a wonderful thing, that one of the wisest and best

of men should have entertained ideas of morality which are wholly

at variance with our own. And if we would do Plato justice, we

must examine carefully the character of his proposals.