Difference Between Meno And Socrates

The discussion between Socrates and Meno revolves around a single question “What is virtue?” Socrates is interested in knowing what the intrinsic nature of a virtue is and what makes all instances of virtue, virtuous. In other words, the reason why something is a virtue. Although Meno produces a myriad of examples when he says “There is a virtue for every action and every age, for every task of ours and every one of us…” it still does not answer Socrates’ question. He provides virtuous examples, but not the definition of virtue. Being able to manage public affairs, and managing the home well are virtues, but what is common about all of them? For example, the concept of shape cannot be attributed by triangles, circles, and squares. Shape is what all these figures share or “shape is that which is bounded by color.” He further attempts to show Meno that there is a difference between really knowing something and holding a correct belief about it. He strongly supports the idea that discovering the correct definition of virtue will help both of them
The conversation between Socrates and the student is tested by the paradox, “One logically cannot inquire productively into what one does not already know – nor of course into what one already does” (58). This quote demonstrates that one cannot delve deeper into a particular subject if one does not know its origins or how it came about. It is shown when Socrates conveys that he cannot give a definition of a virtue because he has not yet met a virtuous person and Meno, confident that he can provide the answer in the beginning of the dialogue, becomes confused at the very end. The whole discussion between the two serves to show the audience that it is extremely crucial to first truly understand what something is before attempting to investigate deeper into a particular subject or