It  is  this  being  which  knows  neither  genesis  nor  de-
struction, neither  increase  nor  diminution,  which  knows
no  relativity  of  circumstances  or  time,  which  cannot  be
comprehended  by  mere  subjective  opinion  ("  Symposion"
211,  a).  The  objects  of  sense-perception  are  always  in  a
stage  of  becoming,  they  never  are.  In  this  world  and  in
this  life,  there  are  many  individuals  with  an  identity  of


224  TESTIMOXIUM  ANIM43

form,  but  only  one  genus  or  Idea.  Now  the  craftsman
(jdemiurgoi)  fashions  in  accordance  with  the  idea,  while
he  does  not  create  the  idea  itself.  "  For  this  same  crafts-
man is  not  only  competent  to  make  all  utensils,  but  also
all  the  things  which  grow  from  the  earth  does  he  make,
and  all  animated  beings  are  wrought  by  him,  both  the  others
and  he  himself;  and,  in  addition  to  these,  heaven  and
earth  and  gods  and  all  the  things  that  are  in  heaven  and
those  in  Hades  below  the  earth,  all  are  wrought  by  him  "
("  Republic,"  596,  c).
Plato  feels  and  freely  admits,  that,  in  extolling  Mind
and  Intelligence  in  their  view  and  vision  of  the  Universe,
philosophers  really  magnify  themselves  and  their  office :
and  that  therein  they  are  in  harmony  ("  Philebos,"  28,  c).
