Charmides

In this Socratic dialogue, the conversation centers on the definition of "sophrosyne," often translated as temperance or moderation. Socrates engages with a young man and his guardian to explore whether this virtue represents quietness, modesty, or self-knowledge. As with many early dialogues, the discussion ends in a state of aporia, or puzzlement, having dismantled all proposed definitions. It serves as an inquiry into the difficulty of defining ethical concepts and the nature of self-control.