3. Demetrius thinks the cause inadequate and Cleombrotus mentions other instances of important phenomena due to insignificant causes.
4. Ammonius points out that all the heavenly bodies are involved in the hypothesis, and suggests other causes, as changes in temperature or in the quality of the oil.
5. Lamprias invites Cleombrotus to tell the company about the oracle of Ammon. Demetrius suggests, as a subject nearer home, the failure of the oracles in Boeotia (except those in the neighbourhood of Lebadeia).
6. We were passing out of the temple, and were near the Hall of the Cnidians, where Heracleon and our other friends were waiting for us, in silence. On a request from Demetrius they agree to join in our discussion.
7. Didymus the Cynic (‘Planetiades’) makes an angry protest: the wonder being that Providence itself had not deserted this bad world long ago. Heracleon and Lamprias humour him, and he leaves the place quietly.
8. Ammonius addresses Lamprias: ‘I too deprecate the tone of Didymus. Still we may recognize other causes, besides providential action, for the cessation of the oracles, e.g. the depopulation of Greece and specially of Boeotia.’
9. Lamprias: ‘We may believe in Gods, yet hold that their works may be interrupted by specific causes. It is not necessary that the God should personally operate in his oracles.’
10. Cleombrotus agreed, but observed that the hypothesis was much relieved by assuming the existence of daemons, a middle order between Gods and men, and not immortal,
11. But long-lived—say 9,720 years (as Hesiod)—‘What?’ interrupted Demetrius; ‘Hesiod was leading up to the Stoic “Conflagration”!’
12. Cleombrotus refuses to split straws as to the duration of a daemon’s life; the point is that there are such things as daemons.