ipl-logo

Socrates: Virtue And Knowledge

700 Words3 Pages

In this paper, I will reconstruct the argument voiced by Socrates from 87c to 89c in the Meno that “if virtue is knowledge, then it can be taught” for the conclusion that virtue can be taught (87c). Socrates begins his argument by framing the central indicative conditional statement for he claims that “men cannot be taught anything but knowledge” (87c). In my interpretation, Socrates establishes that knowledge is the only thing taught. Therefore, if virtue is knowledge, then virtue can likewise be taught.

According to Socrates, virtue is good and is a kind of knowledge. He starts his argument by stating in 87d that virtue is good. Following this, Socrates claims that “If then there is anything else good that is different and separate from knowledge, virtue might well not be a kind of knowledge” (87d). I interpret this to mean that if good is a subset knowledge, then virtue is a kind of knowledge. He then follows this by examining how virtue is good in order to show that is a kind of knowledge.

Socrates establishes that bodily goods and qualities of the soul cannot be harmful or beneficial in and of themselves. Firstly, he states that since virtue is good, and all good things are beneficial; therefore, virtue is beneficial (87e). Giving examples of things that are beneficial, Socrates lists bodily goods such as health, strength, beauty and wealth (87e). Despite their ability to benefit us, Socrates illustrates that these things also have the capability of harming us

Show More
Related

  • Socrates A Good Statesman Analysis

    2334 Words  | 10 Pages

    In Plato's Gorgias, it is apparent that Socrates has no desire to be a good statesman as it is defined in the eyes of the Athenians. His calculation is that Athenian rhetoricians place no reliance on facts or truth, nor are these their aim. Instead, they rely on the illusion of knowledge, and this morally weakens both themselves and their audiences. It is clear however, that if he wishes, Socrates is able to match most or all of the other statesmen in Athens, as is clearly indicated by his very eloquent speech which ends the dialogue. Additionally, under his own definition of a good statesman, it is evident that Socrates is more than qualified.

    Read More

  • Essay On Courage In Plato's Laches

    1116 Words  | 5 Pages

    His definition equivocates knowledge and courage itself, rather than saying knowledge is necessary for courage. However, knowledge is not the only necessary condition for courage in his definition. Thus, the particulars of fearful and hopeful become problematic for Socrates. As Socrates points out through further questioning if one were to have such knowledge as stated by Nicias - one would have knowledge of all virtues, “of practically all goods and evils put together” (199d1). The elenctic method draws out contradictions in Nicias beliefs, leading again to a conflicted answer.

    Read More

  • Russell Vs Socrates

    559 Words  | 3 Pages

    The first concept that I noticed shared by Russell and Socrates was the concept that one had to remove themselves before serious philosophical contemplation could take place. In Russell 's case, he refers to the "Self" and the "Not-Self". With Socrates, as seen in the Apology, confronting his accuser about the corruption of youth, his accuser is silent because he had not given the matter any thought. Socrates awareness of his own ignorance frees him from what Russell would refer to as "Self". I mention this because it serves as a common theme even as both philosophers differ in their messages.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Virtue In Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

    731 Words  | 3 Pages

    Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Book ll, is about his idea of how people should live a virtuous life. Throughout this book, he explains that humans learn virtue from instructions and we learn virtue from practice too. Virtue is something that is very important because it is a moral habit that results in keeping our moral values. Aristotle believed that nobody is born with virtue, everyone has to work at it daily. After reading Nicomachean ethics, Book ll, my main conclusion of it is that us as humans are better off being virtuous than simply doing what we feel like doing at any moment in time.

    Read More

  • Alcibiades Speech On Ladder Of Love

    1745 Words  | 7 Pages

    This could mean that Socrates had understood, or at least on the way to understanding what is the good and how to obtain it. This interpretation also explain Socrates´s behavior, as recounted by Alcibiades. Socrates spend most of his time either thinking(220D), or talking and philosophizing with others(221D, 222E).He seem to show extreme calmness and unrivaled self control( 221B). He does not desire physical beauty, money,power, or anything else that Alcibiades might be interested in(216E), and seem to only be concerned about giving speeches and

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Socrates And Snowden

    1280 Words  | 6 Pages

    Socrates & Snowden Socrates was a true believer that true pleasure only comes when individuals live a moral life. He believed that an individual’s inner life, or the soul, is the most important part of life. Each person must keep his or her soul healthy, by seeking truth, self-knowledge, justice, and goodness. Socrates believed that any soul in search of fame, wealth, and power becomes ignorant, sickly, and weak (Claudia, 270). He was concerned with strengthening his inner self by examining and criticizing it.

    Read More

  • Trial And Death Of Socrates Analysis

    1191 Words  | 5 Pages

    The trial and death of Socrates is a book with four dialogues all about the trail that leads to the eventual death of Socrates. The four dialogues are Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo. It will explain the reasoning that brought Socrates to trial in the first place and give us a glimpse into the physiological thought of this time, and in this paper will describe some of the differences today. The first of the four dialogues are Euthyphro.

    Read More

  • Socrates And Meno: The Definition Of Virtue

    771 Words  | 4 Pages

    They conclude that virtue cannot be taught, “that virtue comes to the virtuous [(those who possess virtue)] by the gift of God” (Plato

    Read More

  • How Did Socrates Attempt To Appease The Apology

    630 Words  | 3 Pages

    In this paper I will examine why Socrates did not attempt to appease the jury in his Apology. Socrates is put on trial for corrupting the youth and believing in gods other than the gods of the city. I believe he chose not to appease the jury for three reasons: he is a man of pride, he does not fear death and additionally finds it shameful to fear death. Socrates is a man of pride.

    Read More

  • Socrates Vs. Unjust One In Plato's The Republic

    643 Words  | 3 Pages

    His statement brings up controversy, making the argument fail to back up its point. Socrates argues that a just soul and a just man will live well, and an unjust one badly. This argument consists of the following: 1. The function of each thing is what it alone can do or what it does better than anything else.

    Read More

  • Analyzing Socrates Argument In Plato's Meno

    1060 Words  | 5 Pages

    The world we live in is filled with crime, evil, and injustice, but do people have the desire to do bad things knowing that they are bad, or do they do them thinking that they are good? In this essay, I examine Socrates argument, found in Plato’s Meno, that no one knowingly desires bad things. If Socrates were right, it would mean that it is impossible for someone to perform a bad action based on their desire for that bad thing. Instead, all bad desires result from the ignorance of the person performing the action in falsely believing that the action is good. Though Socrates presents a compelling argument, I argue that it is possible for someone to act badly, all the while knowing that what they desire is bad.

    Read More

  • Comparing Socrates In The Apology, Crito, And The Republic

    802 Words  | 4 Pages

    (20c) Socrates mentions that it was human wisdom and nothing more that has allowed himself to know what he knows. (20d) Socrates even mentions

    Read More

  • Summary Of Crito's Three Arguments

    718 Words  | 3 Pages

    (Crito,46d). Socrates uses an example of a physical trainer. He asks if you should listen to any man or the man who is a doctor or trainer. (Crito,47b). Socrates applies this to just and unjust actions and refers to the not just life, but the good life.

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Of Socrates 'Apology'

    1314 Words  | 6 Pages

    His goal was to make the court understand his beliefs prove which type of knowledge is worth knowing. When talking about the wise man he examined, Socrates said, “Neither of us actually knows what Beauty and Goodness are, but he thinks he knows, even though he doesn’t; whereas I neither know nor think I know.” This shows that Socrates proved he was more wise than the titled wise man because instead of faking the knowledge, that wasn’t too important, he accepted that he did not know which would result in him then seeking for

    Read More

  • Aristotle: The Ultimate Goal Of Human Life

    758 Words  | 4 Pages

    The ultimate goal of human life for Plato is to know and understand the truth or the “eidos” of the “good”. The only way for us to see this truth is through our minds. The truth is not accessible in the physical world but in the intellectual realm. For us to be happy or for use to know the truth is only when we are beyond our physical sense it is a totally different level. So according to Plato, “knowledge” and “virtue” are corollary meaning that as long as one exists the other will follow.

    Read More

More about Socrates: Virtue And Knowledge

Open Document