Pleasure and knowledge are spoken of as powers (dynameis) in the Philebus 44c7, 44d4, 57e7, 58a, 58d4, 67a and the dialogue culminates with the right mixing of these powers as ingredients in a good life (59d–64b). My present attempt is to explore two major aspects of this mixing: What are the respective powers involved in the mixing? and What happens to them in the process of mixing?

I proceed by first analysing Plato’s usage of the notion of power throughout this dialogue and argue that dynamis is used in relation to distinct types of realities and, correspondingly, manifests distinctive causal roles in each case. This analysis will illuminate the sense in which knowledge and pleasure, respectively, are said to be powers. The second part of my paper will focus on the actual mixing of pleasure with knowledge described at 59d–64b. I argue that a proper understanding of their mixing must also consider the other powers at work, specifically, the power ascribed to the Good, the power attributed to the Unlimited, and the innate power of our soul to love the truth.