Words said are not to be claimed:
In explaining her translation of Plato's Symposium, a lady translator says that Socrates always starts a debate by asking the opponent first and then introduces his alternative views and arguments afterwards to win.
If we believe that it is difficult to back up a new assertion but always easy to attack and crush an argument by simply offering a counter-example, we should really reassess the contribution made by the unlucky opponent and by Socrates. Who is more constructive in the sense?
And then when all the young kids appreciate his wisdom, Socrates claims his own ignorance however, indirectly mocking everybody including his admirers and followers. Is he irritating? Is he nasty and disgusting?
And then we have another character, Plato, who never claims and discloses his own thoughts but keeps quoting, repeating, and reporting what Socrates is supposed to have talked about. Whenever Plato opens his mouth, he would start: "Socrates says...." and then again: "Socrates says...."
His authority comes from his knowing Socrates. Is he irritating? Is he a coward?
A lot of words should actually be his words, but he dares not say: "I say.... "
To him, "I say..." has no market. "I say..." is weak without power. "I say..." perhaps appears blasphemous for without God, without Socrates, and then without Plato himself.
God make Socrates speak and Socrates makes him (Plato) speak on Socrates' behalf. Nobody is entitled: "I say... " in the whole respectable Western and religious world, it seems.
In this world, so many religious people never hesitate to claim whenever they open their mouths, like Plato: "God say... " and then again: "God say... " If you ask them: "what about you, what do you say?" They will stop, and stare at you as if you were a devil or a skin disease carrier.
When we learn Greek philosophy, we really should be more critical, rethink why and whether it should be justifiable that we followers should praise Socrates so much and thank Plato so much. Are they really 100% respectable mentors and masters?
And then the tradition of "he says...", "God say... ", "Mao say... ", "Michael Jackson says... ", "[Except me and never I] say... ".... Who should be responsible for promoting, extending, and accepting such irresponsible way of talking?
Unless religious people are "God's Gods", no way are they capable of knowing what God say. Forgive me to say, these religious people whose lips always stick with "God say" are insulting God, if any. By the same analogy, Plato insults Socrates. And many are insulting their icons.
