102.4

On the basis of an 'evolving argument in defense of eristics,' Leo Strauss's Socrates in 'On the Euthydemus' takes the brothers' eristic art seriously and seeks to become their student. Central to Strauss's argument is the premise, based on Socratic doubts as to whether virtue is teachable, that 'wisdom in the proper sense' is impossible. An alternate interpretation of the Euthydemus suggests that Plato's Socrates is practicing the art of reproducing wisdom by teaching virtue to Ctesippus. The contrast between these interpretations distinguishes Strauss's intentions from Plato's.