Discount Therapy

Rockamellon: So you keep saying, Socrato... but I think you have an agenda.

Socrato:  If I do, let it be sussed out into the open, for I wish to see the results of an free exploration, not the forced vision of a belief.  What do you think this agenda of mine is, Rockamellon?

Rockamellon:  I believe that you are trying to ascribe a monetary value to everything.

Socrato:  You have presented the options and I have shown that they all have a dollar amount.  Surely we have not exhausted everything of value in life, have we?  What else is there in life of value that can not be traded for gold?

Rockamellon:  How about friendship, Socrato?  What about the kind of discussion that you and I, as friends, are having right now?

Socrato:  Shall we examine friendship generally or philosophical discussion specifically?

Rockamellon:  Let us examine friendship first... and because I fear you will monetize that, let us keep philosophical discussion ready at hand.

Socrato:  We shall see, friend.  Tell me about friendship.  What does it mean to be a friend?

Rockamellon:  Well, it is a relationship between two people wherein they help one another.

Socrato:  And how do they help one another, Rockamellon?

Rockamellon:  Well, they keep one another company.  They talk with one another and in so doing make each other happy.

Socrato:  What do you suppose is the role of a psycho-therapist?

Rockamellon:  It is to help disturbed people sort out their mental issues.

Socrato:  Need a person be disturbed to visit a therapist?

Rockamellon:  I suppose not but I would think they'd have to be fairly wealthy and foolish to do so without being disturbed.

Socrato:  I see.  So a normal person, perhaps a rich one, could pay for the therapists services simply to talk about mundane problems and to keep themselves happy?

Rockamellon:  I suppose so, yes.

Socrato:  Well then, Rockamellon - friends are nothing but pro-bono therapists - at least in regard to keeping one another company.  Therefore to chat and socialize with a friend is simply discount rate sanity maintenance so that both participants may continue to be productive.

Rockamellon:  Your summary of friendship leaves a bad taste in my mouth, Socrato.

Socrato:  But it is you who led us here, friend.