Dialogue Text

Timaios (Continued). Following the most plausible explanations for all the types mentioned, we can generally say the following: When earth encounters fire, it is broken down by its sharpness. Even if melted within fire, or dissolved in a mass of air or water, if some part of the earth meets again and combines with each other somewhere, it becomes earth again. This is because earth does not change into any other form. Water, when separated by fire or by air, can sometimes reassemble to become one object of fire and two objects of air.

Timaios (Continued) When a portion of air is decomposed, it can become two fiery objects. Conversely, when fire is surrounded by air or water, or even earth, and exists in a small amount within it, if it moves and collides, and loses, the two fiery objects combine into one, forming the shape of air. When the air is defeated and broken apart, from twice the original amount and half the water, a single whole solidifies into the form of water.

Timaios (Continued) Let us consider these things again as follows. When a certain element that has been taken into the fire is cut by the sharpness of its angles and edges, if it becomes one with the nature of fire, then the cutting will cease. This is because each thing of the same kind cannot cause change in something that is the same as itself and maintains the same state, nor can it be affected by anything. However, while it is becoming something else, a weaker thing, and struggling against something stronger, the decomposition does not stop. Also, when a small number is surrounded by many large things and crushed and destroyed,

Timaios (Continued): Even when trying to coalesce into a winning form, it ceases due to being erased. Air emerges from fire, and water from air. However, if elements of different kinds merge and conflict with each other, the decomposition will not stop. It continues until they are completely swept away and decompose, escaping to become part of their own kind, or until they are defeated by the majority and become one, resembling what won and remaining as a member of that group. And then,

Timaios (Continued): In accordance with these changes, everything shifts its position. This is because each type of aggregation is separated into its own specific place by the movement of the recipient. On the other hand, things that become increasingly dissimilar to themselves and more like something else are shaken and transported to the location of what they have become similar to.

Due to these reasons, the first object without any impurities was created.

Timaios (Continued). On the other hand, the fact that different kinds of things are inherently contained within the form of each element should be considered according to the composition of each element. The creator initially planted not only one triangular shape of a certain size in each kind, but also smaller and larger ones, and the number of these was determined by the number of types contained in each form. Therefore, through their mixing with each other, this diversity becomes infinite. Those who seek to provide the most plausible explanation about nature must observe this diversity.