Understanding why the Dream Theory ( Theaetetus 201d–202c) is Objectionable

This paper argues that Socrates’ refutation of the Dream Theory amounts to an accusation of Protagoreanism and it defends the aptness of this refutation. It also argues that grammatikē , which scholars suggest is the model for an improved version of the Dream Theory, fails to survive Socrates’ refutation of the original. Though not as disastrously Protagorean, an epistemology of grammatikē is as inappropriate for human beings as the Dream Theory.