Scott Asbury Meno In the Meno‚ Plato justifies the possibility for one ’s mind to uncover knowledge. Knowing one can obtain knowledge motivates the mind to gain more knowledge. Plato explains the theory of recollection by first questioning what virtue is‚ then demonstrating the process through the questioning of a slave boy. Although a few weaknesses present themselves in Plato ’s argument‚ Plato presents a valid theory on how our minds can obtain knowledge. This paper focuses on exploring
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Meno “As to my being a torpedo‚ if the torpedo is torpid as well as the cause of torpidity in others‚ then indeed I am a torpedo‚ but not otherwise; for I perplex others‚ not because I am clear‚ but because I am utterly perplexed myself. And now I know not what virtue is‚ and you seem to be in the same case‚ although you did once perhaps know before you touched me. However‚ I have no objection to join with you in the enquiry” (Meno 80d). Plato‚ in his book Meno‚ defines whether or not virtue
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"If I do not know what something is‚ how could I know what qualities it possesses?" (Socrates) this idea presented to Meno creates the foundation for what is called Meno’s Paradox. This paradox evaluates the question of how are we to find things in the universe if we cannot know where to begin to look? And if we know where to look for the answer then why are we looking? Socrates‚ however‚ challenges Meno’s idea by saying that we may not know all things but we know some and by using deductive reasoning
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Meno begins his quest to have Socrates explain virtue by nature by stating that having beautiful things is to have virtue. “So I say that virtue is to desire beautiful things and have the power to acquire them” (77b). To help him to understand that this statement is not complete‚ Socrates inquires about specific characteristics that might comprise having something beautiful. These characteristics include wealth‚ a position of honor‚ justice‚ and the pursuit of happiness. Only in perfect combination
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Christopher Nowlin Professor James Ross Lone Star College System PHIL – 2306 29 August 2015 Meno Response Paper The Meno‚ although not for certain‚ is thought to be one of Plato’s earliest dialogues. The dialogue opens with Meno asking Socrates whether virtue can be imparted‚ or taught‚ with the two men dwelling on this question (alongside more central questions of what virtue is) for the entirety of the text. Within the text‚ Socrates tries to dichotomize an ethical term by inquisitively questioning
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Meno Paper Assignment Can virtue be taught? Plato starts off the Meno with this simple question. Prior to answering this question‚ Socrates is adamant about first understanding what virtue is. Socrates and Meno go back and forth throughout the story attempting to figure out the definition of virtue. When they come to the conclusion that they do not know what virtue is‚ they attempt to prove whether virtue can be taught‚ is attainable by practice‚ or is simply possessed by nature. As Meno asks
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In Plato’s Meno‚ Socrates and Meno do not obtain a definition of virtue‚ while Socrates thinks that virtue is a kind of knowledge‚ and if virtue is knowledge‚ then it should be able to be both defined and taught. But most virtuous persons (virtue being some sort of excellence or another) don’t seem to be able to teach "virtue" to their own children (as told to Meno by Socrates). As a consequence of this‚ it is problematic for both Plato and Socrates to suppose that virtue is a sort of knowledge.
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Meno Virtue Essay Meno‚ an influential speaker‚ is traveling through Athens when he encounters Socrates. Meno is a well known individual who has spoken in front of large crowds the meaning of virtue. He is a student who studied under Gorgias‚ another well know teacher of virtue. Socrates provokes a discussion regarding virtue when he states that‚ “I have never known of anyone else who did [know virtue]‚ in my judgment.” This prompted Meno to stand up and prove to Socrates he could accurately define
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ancient Greece suggests‚ though‚ at least that part of its world and epoch represented by Meno is that such concerns are not only unnecessary‚ but futile. In Meno’s world‚ there are Know-It-Alls and Know-Nothings. There are no In-Betweens. When Meno challenges Socrates: “Is virtue teachable?” Socrates‚ volleys back‚ “What is virtue?” Meno then posits that it is impossible for Socrates to discover what virtue is
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The Meno is a Platonic dialogue where the character Socrates is posed a question on the nature of virtue by a young Thessalian for which the dialogue is named; specifically‚ he asks if virtue is teachable or rather something that is the result of practice or if it is neither but an inherent trait of human nature. Socrates admits he is ignorant of what virtue is and it‚ therefore‚ Unable to answer the question Socrates and Meno seek out to find the form of Virtue and its teachability.. . The text
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