A day in the life of an Ohioan turned New Yorker
Journal Entry #8
Published on August 2, 2004 By alison watkins In Philosophy
The Meno is one of Plato's mid to early Socratic dialogues. The conversation between Meno and Socrates throughout the dialogue primarily focuses on the concept of "virtue" and whether or not it can be taught. I believe that Meno's primary definitions of virtue are rather vague and very worthy of Socrates' unclear answers. At one point, Meno states that one cannot learn about what one does not know. To balance out this argument, Socrates argues that the inner soul is eternal and that learning is in fact recollection. To prove his point, Socrates sets about showing Meno how a character refered to as the "slaveboy" recalls the answers to geometrical questions that Socrates puts infront of him. Later, when Meno agrees with the concept that virtue is infact knowledge and can be taught, Socrates counters the point by saying he has yet to find anyone who truly practices virtue and is thus qualified to teach it. At the end of the dialogue, Socrates concludes that virtue cannot be taught, and is in fact, a gift of the Gods. According to Socrates, the Gods have true knowledge and can thus do nothing wrong.

So, do you think that virtue is teachable?

In my opinion, I believe that the answer depends on what you consider virtuous traits. For example, if one considers goodness to be a virtuous trait, then one also has to describe what one thinks is "good". I do think that virtue can be taught, it just has to be well defined.

Comments
on Aug 02, 2004
Virtue cannot be taught.

It has to be imbibed.

From a role model, yes, we need role models-alas,where will we find such role models in the modern world ?

on Aug 02, 2004
where will we find such role models in the modern world ?


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