Socrates: And how many of them were there? Meno: Quite a few, though not all worked equally, and some hardly at all, for they were most interested in triangles of the right and virtuous variety, and not in squares and their roots. Socrates: Can you give me an estimate? Meno: No, I can't say that I can. I am sorry, Socrates. Socrates: No problem, would you accept five thinkers as an estimate. Meno: I think that should be fair. Socrates: And shall we assume they worked for two years, that is the smallest number which retains the plural, and our assumption was that they worked for years. Meno: Two years is indeed acceptable to me, Socrates. Socrates: Very well then, Meno, it would appear that the Pythagoreans spent 10 total years of thinking time to solve the riddles of the square root of two. Meno: I agree. Socrates: And would you like to hire the Pythagoreans to run your household, Meno? Meno: Surely I would, Socrates, if they were only for hire, but, as you well know, they are a secret lot, and hire to no one. Socrates: Well, if I could get you one, perhaps one of the best of them, in fact the leader of the group that solved the square root of two, would you not hire him, and at high wages? Meno: Certainly, Socrates. I'd be a fool not to. Socrates: And you would put him in charge of your house. Meno: And all my lands, too, Socrates. Socrates: Possibly. Then I would like to propose, that if this boy should solve the proof of the square root of two being irrational, in the next few hours of our discussion, that he be given wages equal to those due to your most highly placed servant for ten years of service, as he shall perform ten years service for you in the next few hours, should he succeed. Meno: That sounds quite fair, Socrates, I like your logic. Socrates: (the boy tugs his tunic, to complain that he wants his freedom, not a mere bucket of gold) Hush, boy, did you not promise to hold your tongue? Boy: Yes, Socrates, but.... Socrates: (turning to Meno) And, of course, with the monetary rewards for such a position, go all the rest of it. Meno: Of course, Socrates. I never thought to cheat you. Socrates: I know that, friend Meno, but I merely ask for the boy's sake, who is not used to hearing about high finance and the powers and rank which accompany such things. Meno: Of course, Socrates. Shall I tell the boy what he shall receive? Socrates: You are very kind to do so, my friend Meno. Meno: (turns to the boy) You are aware that a servant may not own the amount of gold I would have to give you, should you win the day? Boy: Yes, sir. Meno: Therefore, I would have to give to you the freedom to own the money, before I could give you the money, would I not? Boy: Yes, sir. Meno: And in giving you freedom, I would be remiss if I did not give you a job and a coming out party of equal position with your wealth, would I not? Boy: I can't really say, sir, though I suppose so.