there is the problem with the very cogency of the idea itself.

这个说法本身的说服力也存在问题
Consider the following, can philosophy and politics actually be united?

试想一下　　哲学和政治能否统一呢
It would seem that the needs of philosophy are quite different from

对哲学的需求似乎与
the demands or requirements of political rule.

对政治规则的需求很不一样
Can you imagine Socrates willingly giving up one of his conversations

你们能想象苏格拉底志愿奉献一篇对话
for the tedious business of legislation and public administration?

为了冗长的立法和公共事务吗
The philosopher is described by Plato

柏拉图描述的哲学家
as someone with knowledge of the eternal forms,

是获知永恒的知识理念
lying behind or beyond the many particulars.

那些理念深藏于并高于众多的特殊
But just how does that kind of knowledge

但是这种知识是如何
help us deal with the constant ebb and flow of political life?

帮助我们处理政治生活的潮起潮落
It seems not enough that the philosopher have knowledge of the forms

哲学家们似乎都有足够的关于理念的知识