At an End

But I may sometimes write here or there.

Thermippos — The Complete Dialogue

The scene is the agora, outside the office of the magistrate. Socrates is on his way to answer charges of impiety. There he meets Thermippos holding forth confidently amidst a gathering of young men. Naturally, since death is on his mind, Socrates seizes the opportunity to discuss the subject with a man who seems certain of everything.

Socrates. You agree, Thermippos, that all men are mortal.

Thermippos. I do.

Socrates. And you agree furthermore that I am a man.

Thermippos. I have no reason to doubt it, Socrates.

Socrates. Surely then you agree that I am mortal.

Thermippos. I didn’t say that. You did. Don’t put words in my mouth.

Socrates. I beg your pardon, Thermippos, but I have simply drawn what follows.

Thermippos. Strawman.

Socrates. But no true reasoner could fail —

Thermippos. Ah, the no-true-Macedonian fallacy.

Socrates. But, Thermippos, given the logical form . . .

Thermippos. Define “logical form”.

Socrates. . . . you must either accept the conclusion or reject at least one of the premises.

Thermippos. False dichotomy.

Socrates. I see, Thermippos. You’re an idiot.

Thermippos. And that’s an ad hominem.

Socrates ad-hominems Thermippos with a brick. The charges of impiety are dropped.