Another Socratic dialog

Socrates inquired of his student, "Are you a carpenter?"

"I am not, teacher, for never in my life have a built anything out of wood."

"Ah, but you are indeed a carpenter and I shall show you why."

"I eagerly await your explanation."

Socrates began, "A carpenter is a person who uses a hammer and sharp instruments to construct objects and structures of wood, is he not?"

"Certainly, teacher, he is," agreed the student.

"Suppose you were to pay a carpenter a visit and ask him to build you a stool."

"He would expect me to pay him, and I have no money."

"Ah, but money is not our concern. Would you have the capacity to wield an axe and threaten to chop off the carpenter's hand if he did not do as you asked?"

"Why ... yes," replied the student uneasily.

"And could you not wield a hammer and threaten to break the carpenter's skull into tiny pieces if he did not do as you asked?"

"Teacher, why would you suggest such a thing?"

"My student, I am not suggesting it, I am merely inquiring whether you would be able to do these things."

"Well, yes, I surely would."

"So you see," concluded Socrates, "you possess the ability to use a hammer and a sharp instrument so as to result in the construction of a wooden stool. Moments ago you agreed that this was the mark of a carpenter. Would you not then agree that you are indeed a carpenter?"

"Why, yes, teacher, I see now that it is so. You have once again favored me with your enlightenment!"
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