The Cosmos: Motion, Matter, Measure [268d–74e]

The Stranger explicitly asserts that the myth contained a paradigm, and that this paradigm involved shepherd and sheep in relation to ruler and ruled. The paradigmatic elements in the myth must be noted, given the theoretical importance of paradigms which the Stranger underlines in subsequently exhibiting the nature of statecraft. Young Socrates proclaims that the present account of the statesman is "complete". The Stranger develops a second paradigm based on the letters of the alphabet. The Stranger then adds that no one starting with false opinion can ever expect to attain even a small measure of truth and wisdom. The Stranger contends that wool weaving displays the "same" kind of activity as statesmanship and that using wool weaving as an element in a paradigm will allow them to "discover" that which they seek. The Stranger's paradigmatic account of the paradigm of wool weaving also reveals the implicit presence of the myth.