Eutropius reluctantly admitted that he has not.

            Socrates: Well then my friend, isn’t this a case where there is no disagreement regarding art? Doesn’t this mean that art is not subjective?

            Eutropius, without anything further to say, nodded and stopped talking. Socrates then proceeded to question Apollodoros.

            Socrates: Apollodoros, my friend, now you think art is objective, yes? You think that your sculpture is a piece of art despite what other people say.

            Apollodoros: Yes Socrates, that is what I think.

            Socrates: And why do you think that way?

            Apollodoros: Well Socrates, when you look at the sky and you see that it is blue, you know that it is blue. It does not matter what other people think. Likewise, when you look at a ship, you know that it is a ship despite what other people may think. So, when you look at a piece of art, it is art no matter what you or I think.

            Socrates: I understand your reasoning. But, I think there is a flaw in it. When you look at the sky, you know it is blue because you can see the color with your eyes. Is that true?

            Apollodoros: Yes, that is true Socrates.

            Socrates: And when you look at a ship, you know it is a ship because it floats and it has the shape and form of a ship. Do you agree?

            Apollodoros: Yes, I agree.

            Socrates: Now, it seems as if there is an objective standard for judging all of these, correct? In the case of the sky, it is the color and in the case of the ship, it is its shape, form, and function.

            Apollodoros: That is correct.

            Socrates: Now, Apollodoros, what about art? What is the objective standard for judging art? What is something that I can identify in all pieces of art where, upon looking at it, I will think, “Now that is surely a work of art!”

            Apollodoros thought for a while about this, but he ended up admitting that he does not know.

            Socrates: Well, if you do not know, then doesn’t that make your position vague and ambiguous?

            Apollodoros: Well… yes.

            Socrates: And, if it is vague and ambiguous, then doesn’t that make your theory a bad theory? And shouldn’t we avoid bad theories?

            Apollodoros: Socrates, I have had enough of your sophistry. The one who questions others can easily make others look like fools. That does not take much talent. Why don’t you give me your own thoughts on this question?

            Socrates: Ah, but you see Apollodoros, I do not have an answer to this question, for I am entirely puzzled.

            And with that, Socrates left the two angry and confused.