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The objection, though fairly met by Socrates in this particular

instance, may be regarded as implying a reflection upon the

Socratic mode of reasoning. And here, as elsewhere, Plato seems

to intimate that the time had come when the negative and

interrogative method of Socrates must be superseded by a positive

and constructive one, of which examples are given in some of the

later dialogues. Adeimantus further argues that the ideal is

wholly at variance with facts; for experience proves philosophers

to be either useless or rogues. Contrary to all expectation

Socrates has no hesitation in admitting the truth of this, and

explains the anomaly in an allegory, first characteristically

depreciating his own inventive powers. In this allegory the

people are distinguished from the professional politicians, and,

as elsewhere, are spoken of in a tone of pity rather than of

censure under the image of 'the noble captain who is not very

quick in his perceptions.'