continuing the analogy

A couple of weeks ago, I tried to show the comic absurdity of the staging of Plato’s Theaetetus (257d-258a) by plugging in contemporary names. Just to follow up, here is the passage in the Statesman where Socrates shows his awareness of the strange set of conversationalists which include a young Socrates lookalike (Theatetus) and another young character who happens to be named Socrates.

Socrates: Furthermore, sir, they might both be said to have some sort of kinship with me. Theatetus, according to you, is like me in looks and Socrates bears the same name. Sharing a name entails kinship in some sense, and, of course, we ought always to seize opportunities of discovering those who may be our kinsfolk by conversing with them. Yesterday I joined in discussion with Theaetetus; today I have listened to him answering you. I have not heard Socrates speak either in discussion or in reply. He too must be tested. So he shall reply to me another time, but this afternoon let him answer you.

Changing this into the terms of our earlier thought experiment…

Heidegger: Furthermore, sir, they might both be said to have some sort of kinship with me. Agamben, according to you, is like me in looks and Heidegger bears the same name. Sharing a name entails kinship in some sense, and, of course, we ought always to seize opportunities of discovering those who may be our kinsfolk by conversing with them. Yesterday I joined in discussion with Agamben; today I have listened to him answering you. I have not heard Heidegger speak either in discussion or in reply. He too must be tested. So he shall reply to me another time, but this afternoon let him answer you.