En tout et pour tout (Théétète 204a-210b)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to show that the last part of the Theaetetus (204-210) can be interpreted in a new way, by a discontinuous and thematic analysis and by referring to the central digression of the dialogue. The refutation of the so-called “Dream Theory” is then no longer a dead end. On the contrary it provides results certainly limited but nevertheless consistent. Indeed, through this examination, Socrates analyzes “the whole.” The words πᾶν and ὅλον, designate the general rule of exhaustiveness. It is their common principle.
But the two terms have also been differentiated by Socrates in the last section of the dialogue (206c-210b). These positive arguments are used to disqualify a false conception of the totality. All these points ultimately shed light on the central digression in which Socrates brings into conflict the positive activity of the Scientist and the negative activity of the Rhetorician. Basically the “whole” is the secret object of their desire and therefore the hidden stake of their debate.