Location: Athens, at Plato's Academy.
Time: Evening. The city breathes calmly after the riots.
Scene
Socrates walks slowly, like a man contemplating the truth.
Alcibiades approaches anxiously, like someone who hears many voices within himself.
Alcibiades
Socrates… the city is divided.
Some talk about ideas, others about interests.
I don't know which path to follow either.
What is ideology? What is interest?
And which of the two should lead a person?
Socrates
Ideology, Alcibiades, is the way you see the world as it should be.
Interest is the way you see the world as you see fit.
Ideology looks up.
Interest looks at the ground.
Alcibiades
So ideology is superior?
Socrates
Not always.
Ideology without wisdom becomes fanaticism.
Interest without justice becomes injustice.
Both need moderation.
Alcibiades
And how will I know which one to follow?
Socrates
Ask your soul:
Does what you do benefit only you or the city as well?
If it only benefits you, it's in your best interest.
If it benefits the city, it's an idea.
If it benefits both, it is a virtue.
Alcibiades
But people say that a person should look out for their own interests.
Socrates
People say a lot.
But the world doesn't have a soul; people do.
And the man who lives only for his own interests
He looks like a wolf in a pack.
The man who lives only for the idea
It looks like an eagle that forgets the earth.
The wise man combines both.
Alcibiades
And what is the measure?
Socrates
The measure is justice.
If your idea is fair,
then your interest becomes honest.
And if your interest is honest,
your idea becomes feasible.
Alcibiades
So a person must have an ideology?
Socrates
Not ideology; principles.
Ideology changes with the wind.
The authorities remain.
Ideology says: "This is how the world should be."
The authorities say: "This is how I should be."
Alcibiades
And the interest? How should I deal with it?
Socrates
As a tool, not as a master.
Interest is like a ship;
useful, necessary, but not a purpose.
The goal is virtue.
Alcibiades
Some say that ideology moves nations.
Others say that self-interest drives history.
What do you say?
Socrates
I say that history moves.
when the idea meets the interest
both are subject to justice.
Without justice,
the idea becomes a tyrant
and the self-interested beast.
Alcibiades
And the leader? How should he walk?
Socrates
The leader must have the idea as a guide
and self-interest as a tool.
If he reverses them,
the city is disappearing.
Alcibiades
That is, ideology without interest is weak,
and interest without ideology is blind?
Socrates
Exactly.
The idea gives light.
Interest gives power.
Without light, power destroys.
Without power, the light goes out.
Alcibiades (after silence)
Socrates…
the man who has principles,
does it have any interest?
Socrates
Yes.
The greatest interest:
peace of mind.
DANCE
Idea and interest,
two opposing currents,
two necessary forces.
The wise man
does not drown in them;
sails among them.
The idea elevates,
the interest supports,
justice harmonizes them.
photo Greek News FL
