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PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE:
Harrison: The narrator of this dialogue; a visitor observing the faculty.
Aristocrademus: A physicist and the headmaster of the Academy.
Leeroy: Student at the Academy; about 14 years of age.
Phandus: Physical philosopher and Academy teacher
Electanias: Physical philosopher and Academy teacher
Xenorus: Elder philosopher and emeritus teacher
Several other Academy Faculty who do not contribute to the dialogue
A troop of Students engaged in sports in the adjacent field
SCENE:
The Grounds of the Academy Apolyti Gnosi. Midday. The academy’s classes have let out for the day, and the students are engaging in physical fitness games in the Academy’s playing field. As is customary, the faculty has collected on the Academy stoa to discuss topics of deep philosophy.
One of the students, Leeroy, lurks among the pillars just outside the circle of teachers. ARI is hesitant to call out to Leeroy, since Leeroy is a marginal student who asks too many questions and seems to take a long time in coming to understand his lessons. PHA is more sympathetic to the lad, but still has his reservations.
ARI: My dear Leeroy. Come out of the shadows and join us.
Leeroy cautiously approaches his teachers and salutes ARI.
ARI: (turning towards the advancing youth, and giving him a look up and down). You look troubles. Is there something about your lessons that you are not grasping?
Leeroy sighs: You have always told us, that we should come to the truth by making careful observations and then follow logical steps to draw conclusions.
XEN: Yes, veritably. That is the way to deeper knowledge.
ARI: So what is it that troubles you.
Leeroy: Well, I have made some observations over the last few weeks, and the conclusions that I have arrived at are difficult for me to accept.