Εὔλογον ἀξίωμα
probable assumption, reasonable proposition
Translated by Catharine Roth1 Feb 2008Vetting: high6 revisions
Translation
[Meaning] one which has more ways of being true [than not]; like "I will be alive tomorrow."1
"A discussion once occurred between Kleanthes the philosopher and Ptolemy the king about the wise man's judgment. Someone said that he would not have good judgment. Wanting to test him, the king ordered waxen pomegranates to be set before them. When the wise man was deceived, the king cried out that he had assented to a false appearance. The wise man made a well-aimed reply to him, saying that he had assented in this way, not that they are pomegranates, but that it is probable that they are pomegranates, but the appearance which gives direct apprehension differs from the probable [appearance]."2
"A discussion once occurred between Kleanthes the philosopher and Ptolemy the king about the wise man's judgment. Someone said that he would not have good judgment. Wanting to test him, the king ordered waxen pomegranates to be set before them. When the wise man was deceived, the king cried out that he had assented to a false appearance. The wise man made a well-aimed reply to him, saying that he had assented in this way, not that they are pomegranates, but that it is probable that they are pomegranates, but the appearance which gives direct apprehension differs from the probable [appearance]."2