Isn't Simmias shorter than Phaedo and taller than Socrates "by a head"? Why does Plato insist that "a head" cannot serve as a proper explanation of the above phenomena?
First Argument (101a)
1. If "a head" is a proper explanation for Simmias' shortness and tallness, than such an explanation contains two opposite properties.
2. But a proper explanation say F, such as Platonic Forms, cannot tolerate a non-F property in it. (102d-e)
3. Therefore, a head cannot serve as a proper explanation for Simmias' shortness and tallness.
Second Argument (101b)
1. A head is shorter than Socrates.
2. It would be odd if Simmias is taller than Socrates by something that is shorter than Socrates.
