Dialogues · Chapter
Lesser Hippias explained
In this dialogue, Socrates engages the boastful sophist Hippias in a discussion about voluntary versus involuntary wrongdoing.
What happens
In this dialogue, Socrates engages the boastful sophist Hippias in a discussion about voluntary versus involuntary wrongdoing. Using analogies from athletics and the arts, Socrates argues paradoxically that those who do wrong voluntarily are better than those who do wrong involuntarily, a conclusion that both he and Hippias find troubling. The dialogue satirizes sophistry and explores the relationship between knowledge, power, and justice.
Themes in this chapter
Knowledge and Ignorance
Socrates contrasts voluntary and involuntary wrongdoing, linking them to knowledge and ignorance, and concludes that the wise person who errs voluntarily is better than the ignorant one who errs involuntarily.
Justice and Injustice
The dialogue examines whether justice is a power or knowledge, and whether the just soul is better able to do both good and evil voluntarily.
Characters to notice
- Socrates
Leads the dialectical inquiry, arguing the paradoxical position that voluntary wrongdoing is better than involuntary, while expressing his own perplexity.
- Hippias
A vain and boastful sophist who initially resists Socrates' line of questioning but eventually engages, though he cannot agree with the final conclusion.
- Eudicus
Present as a mediator, encouraging Hippias to continue answering Socrates' questions.
Key passages
“Then, Hippias, he who voluntarily does wrong and disgraceful things, if there be such a man, will be the good man?”
Socrates asks Hippias whether a person who intentionally commits wrongdoing could be considered good.
This captures the central paradox of the dialogue.
“I am all abroad, and being in perplexity am always changing my opinion.”
Socrates admits he is confused and constantly shifts his views on the matter.
Socrates acknowledges his own ignorance, a hallmark of his method.
“For I maintain that those who hurt or injure mankind, and speak falsely and deceive, and err voluntarily, are better far than those who do wrong involuntarily.”
Socrates states his controversial position that intentional wrongdoers are superior to unintentional ones.
This is the key thesis Socrates defends, though he later expresses doubt.