Chapter 7, Socrates Summary

Sophie's mother is again vaguely troubled by Sophie's new interests. The philosopher replies to Sophie by letter that he cannot visit her for now and also mentions the red scarf with the name "Hilde" on it that Sophie found. The philosopher gives his name as Alberto Knox in this letter. Again, Sophie thinks of the strangeness of there being a connection between this Hilde and the philosopher. Why should the philosopher know about Hilde, whose name is on the postcards that Sophie has received? And why does Hilde's father's letter come to Sophie's house?

Sophie starts reading her new philosophy lesson. The lesson is about Plato and Socrates. It's about doing the right thing and knowing what you do not know. Also, the question is asked, how do ideas come from within? At this point, the dog Hermes comes to Sophie...