Plato
PLATO ON TRADITION AND BELIEF.
1.Socrates gets Laches to agree to a new definition of courage by arguing that not all cases of
courage are a sort of endurance.He asks Laches if he would consider courage to be noble to which
Laches replies he would.Socrates then asks him would he consider foolish endurance to be seen
as hurtful,to which Laches also agrees.With this in mind Laches agrees to a new definition of
courage to include only wise endurance. 2/5
2.They conclude that knowledge of a virtue such as courage isn't seen as being normal in the way
that it is,but being the kind of thing that is known consciously and spoken.Somebody who can talk
about the subject of courage but don't do well in battle,would have no real insight into what most
people would consider courage. 0/5
3.Socrates argues for this conclusion by saying there could be some objection to the claim that
courage is both foolish and wise.Firstly,wise courage gives you the belief that you are doing the
right thing,but don't have to,but by believing you have wise courage,it is the best thing to stay and
fight.However,knowing you havn't the resources for battle,but are considered brave enough to
stay and fight anyway,surely this can be seen as both foolish and wise courage. 2/5
4.Socrates asks Laches if he knows the nature of virtue and would they tell others of it.Laches
agrees to both questions allowing Socrates to test Laches own knowledge of virtue.He asks him
about the part of virtue that is relevant to the art of fighting in armour – courage.Socrates then asks
Laches to take into account the actions of the Sythian cavalry who fought bravely whilst running
away.These examples are of a courageous nature but do not fit Laches example of courage.
Socrates then asks Laches about the nature of courage of the soldiers who man there posts,but adds
also about the courage of people in general,wether in battle,politics.poverty or fear.He
1.Socrates gets Laches to agree to a new definition of courage by arguing that not all cases of
courage are a sort of endurance.He asks Laches if he would consider courage to be noble to which
Laches replies he would.Socrates then asks him would he consider foolish endurance to be seen
as hurtful,to which Laches also agrees.With this in mind Laches agrees to a new definition of
courage to include only wise endurance. 2/5
2.They conclude that knowledge of a virtue such as courage isn't seen as being normal in the way
that it is,but being the kind of thing that is known consciously and spoken.Somebody who can talk
about the subject of courage but don't do well in battle,would have no real insight into what most
people would consider courage. 0/5
3.Socrates argues for this conclusion by saying there could be some objection to the claim that
courage is both foolish and wise.Firstly,wise courage gives you the belief that you are doing the
right thing,but don't have to,but by believing you have wise courage,it is the best thing to stay and
fight.However,knowing you havn't the resources for battle,but are considered brave enough to
stay and fight anyway,surely this can be seen as both foolish and wise courage. 2/5
4.Socrates asks Laches if he knows the nature of virtue and would they tell others of it.Laches
agrees to both questions allowing Socrates to test Laches own knowledge of virtue.He asks him
about the part of virtue that is relevant to the art of fighting in armour – courage.Socrates then asks
Laches to take into account the actions of the Sythian cavalry who fought bravely whilst running
away.These examples are of a courageous nature but do not fit Laches example of courage.
Socrates then asks Laches about the nature of courage of the soldiers who man there posts,but adds
also about the courage of people in general,wether in battle,politics.poverty or fear.He