The Allegory of the Tub

And do you not think, Nocualg, that a clearer account must be given of how a teacher develops and is able to teach his pupils?

Of course. Lead the way Setarcos.

You recall, then, Nocualg how it was that we said that all the details within a given science can be likened to the water in a bathtub. And that some tubs are larger than others and are able to contain more water, with some tubs as those in which one washes oneself and others like public baths where it is possible to swim, and some even larger than these? And the deeper and larger a tub is, the farther and deeper can be swum in it?

Yes, I remember and rejoice that it is so.

Then you must also recall that the one first entering the greatest and deepest of tubs -- having only had experience in his own bathtub -- will flounder at first, nor will he survive without some monumental effort if alone and a considerable struggle even if a strong swimmer is present to help him? Such a person having survived and exited the tub is not likely to wish to enter it again and prefers his own bathtub if his disposition is not strong enough to give him the desire to master this, the greatest and deepest of tubs. That is, to master this tub as best he can, for it would seem to be reserved for a god to penetrate the deepest depths.

That must be so.

Such a person will have to spend a great amount of time in the deep tub and practice in order to survive on his own. And yet, once he begins to gain skill in such survival, will not smaller and shallower tubs seem as lesser ambitions? Would it not seem that other tubs would not befit such a swimmer as himself now that he not only is able to float, but begin to dive down and introduce himself to the depths of this tub -- though ever mindful of Scylla and Charybdis?

The lesser tubs must needs be as child's play to him.

And will not such a person, having found joy in his abilities, not wish to exit this great tub? Will he not find comfort in the cool waters -- drinking of the sweet spring that feeds all other tubs -- and resting among the reeds, and in every way feeling the benefits of such exercise and gaining an able body?

It would seem so.

And are there not few people in this vast tub?

It would appear to be quite empty.

After a time, such a person will undoubtedly wish to bring others to the tub, but not because of loneliness, but because he wishes for others to experience the great joy of such pleasurable swimming and the discovery of the sweet springs and healthful exercise.

Yes, and it would seems that the time he has spent in the waters has made so that he has developed a goodwill for others.

Upon first exiting the tub, would he not at first stumble, when his legs have grown accustomed to the waters rather than hard land, and would his throat not thirst for the cool waters?

Yes, but he would soon be able to find his footing because of his athletic body and the nourishing waters of the tub would prevent him from dying of thirst.

That is right, for with the greater form of exercise he has received by swimming, he quickly is able to adjust not only to walking, but to running and throwing a javelin and boxing as well, and the water from which he exited nourished him as it does a camel. And so he will proceed from town to town looking for someone to teach how to swim in that great tub and he will search until he finds one who is of a good build and of a good house who has not spent too much time engaging in gruesome sports that only increase muscles for show and such that would make him so inflexible and cumbersome as to prevent him from staying afloat, let alone ever learning to swim. Neither should the pupil be one who takes his delight in the feasting table and who desires only to eat the most unhealthful foods. Above all else the pupil must be a clean and well-groomed man, for then it will be easier for him to accept the cleansing waters of the great tub.

All that you say, Setarcos, seems quite reasonable. But what of the pupil's education?

As the swimmer and pupil pass the many other tubs of water on their way to the great tub, will not the swimmer have to explain to the pupil that they have not reached the greatest and deepest of tubs yet, and that all of the other tubs are to be avoided -- those tubs filled with many people and that are led by the sprinting swimmers who only take pleasure in building muscles and competing to be the fastest, so that others wish to be as they are and pay for them to compete in sprinting races? And do not the leaders of these smaller tubs not care to build cardiovascular strength or endurance so that they are only able to sprint, but would never survive a swim over a great distance or into great depths? Are these not the same who only enjoy swimming because of the glory they may gain, so that without such glory the water and the act of swimming would be repugnant to them? And would not the swimmer tell his pupil to avoid such tubs at all costs?

Surely, such tubs are to be avoided.

So the swimmer would tell the pupil and they would continue on until they had reached the deepest and greatest of tubs. Would not the pupil feel a great terror strike his breast upon seeing the vastness of this great tub? Would not his own bathtub seem as but a noontime shadow compared to this great tub?

Indeed, the greatness of this tub is unmatched.

And how is the swimmer to go about getting the pupil into the water so that he does not flounder and lose hope that he shall never learn to swim in it?

It would seem that the pupil should be led in gradually, if possible.

In such a way, the swimmer may first dive in and swim out to a far point and swim back to the pupil, to show him what it is possible to accomplish with practice -- and that this is a worthy endeavor. Would not then the swimmer exit the water and stand before the pupil?

Very well.

But the pupil has not yet entered the water.

This is still the matter at hand.

And would not the swimmer then embrace the pupil, and in so doing dampen the pupil?

Why yes.

And would not the pupil be encouraged that the waters were not too cold for entrance?

His past experience in grooming himself must have prepared him to differentiate between hot and cold water.

Would this not encourage the pupil?

Of course.

Then would not the swimmer dive in again, being sure to splash the pupil this time? And would not he remain by the edge of the tub and splash the pupil with water?

Yes, this would encourage the pupil to enter as well.

The swimmer, then, would tell the pupil to jump in, being sure to assure him that he will catch him and not let him drown. And so the pupil would jump and be caught. Would he not, despite his slight fear and uncertainty of his kicking legs, feel an exhilaration in finding himself in such waters?

He most certainly would.

And in such a way the pupil has entered the water.

And I rejoice, Setarcos, that it is so!

But the pupil must still hold on to the swimmer for a long time after entering before he is able to tread by himself for an extended period of time. Does not the swimmer, too, feel that this is difficult work, this being his first attempt at teaching? Must he not work doubly hard to keep the pupil afloat as well as himself?

It would seem so.

But would he not be better for it?

He must needs become much stronger because of it.

That is right. And eventually would not the pupil be able to swim without his teacher?

It is quite reasonable to believe that this would be the case.

But has the pupil finished with his training?

He has not swum very far, nor very deep yet.

You are very right, Nocualg, and mustn’t he sometimes still hold on to his teacher when they have gone out very far from the edge? And does he not still require lessons in holding his breath for a long time so as to dive down very deep into the water?

He most certainly relies on his teacher to learn these things.

And will not the teacher gradually help the pupil improve in these respects.

If one is a teacher and the other a pupil, then they must.

And will they not both find great joy in this exchange: with one giving and the other passively receiving instruction?

It would seem that such activity is the greatest joy that can be conceived...


Why? Search me.