I think not.

Could there be any desire which is not the desire of any pleasure, but of
itself, and of all other desires?

Certainly not.

Or can you imagine a wish which wishes for no good, but only for itself and
all other wishes?

I should answer, No.

Or would you say that there is a love which is not the love of beauty, but
of itself and of other loves?

I should not.

Or did you ever know of a fear which fears itself or other fears, but has
no object of fear?

I never did, he said.

Or of an opinion which is an opinion of itself and of other opinions, and
which has no opinion on the subjects of opinion in general?

Certainly not.

But surely we are assuming a science of this kind, which, having no
subject-matter, is a science of itself and of the other sciences?