This stone not only attracts iron rings, but also imparts to them a similar power of attracting other rings and sometimes you may see a number of pieces of iron and rings suspended from one another so as to form quite a long chain: and all of them derive their power of suspension from the original stone. SOCRATES: The gift which you possess of speaking excellently about Homer is not an art, but, as I was just saying, an inspiration there is a divinity moving you, like that contained in the stone which Euripides calls a magnet, but which is commonly known as the stone of Heraclea. Plato must have had fun writing this dialogue since he adjudged the philosopher beyond concern with physical appearance and ascribed ‘understanding’ to the realm of abstract, logical thinking. And then to say such a person ‘understands’ Homer. The idea of a philosopher envying someone preoccupied with wearing fine clothes and making sure they look beautiful. Then, again, you are obliged to be continually in the company of many good poets and especially of Homer, who is the best and most divine of them and to understand him, and not merely learn his words by rote, is a thing greatly to be envied. SOCRATES: I often envy the profession of a rhapsode, Ion for you have always to wear fine clothes, and to look as beautiful as you can is a part of your art. Sidebar: all of my statements are, in a way, questions, not to be taken as definitive answers scholars and philosophers have been debating the details of Plato’s thought for over 2000 years. To offer a taste, here are a few snatches of the dialogue along with my brief reflections. Likewise, if you haven’t read any Plato, this is a great place to start.

If you are interested in literature and the arts, you will really enjoy. The dialogue explores the nature of poetic and artistic inspiration in a most playful way. Ion is a very short Platonic dialogue between Socrates and a rhapsode by the name of Ion who specializes in reciting the poetry of Homer.

Ion by Plato