Plato's Meno Flashcards
What is the main theme of the dialogue in Meno?
The dialogue centers around the nature of virtue and whether it can be taught, with Socrates leading Meno in exploration and leaving many questions unanswered.
How does Meno initially define aretē?
aretē: “excellence”
Meno offers various definitions specific to different roles (men, women, children), but Socrates challenges him to find a universal definition.
What is Socrates’ view on the definition of aretē?
aretē: “excellence”
Socrates argues that “all of them have one and the same form which makes them virtues.”
What does Socrates claim about his teaching methods?
He states, “I am not teaching the boy anything, but all I do is question him.” (82e), emphasizing that knowledge is drawn out from within.
What is the Socratic Method?
A method of inquiry characterized by asking probing questions to expose contradictions and help individuals arrive at deeper understanding.
What is the Theory of Recollection?
Socrates’ theory positing that the soul is immortal and has innate knowledge from previous existences, with learning being a process of recollection.
What example does Socrates use to demonstrate the Theory of Recollection?
He uses a geometrical example with Meno’s slave to show that individuals can recall knowledge through guided questioning.
How does Socrates refute Meno’s paradox?
By introducing the concept of recollection, arguing that the soul has innate knowledge and learning is rediscovering it.
What metaphor does Socrates use to compare right opinion and knowledge?
He compares right opinion to Daedalus’s statues, suggesting that while both can guide actions, knowledge is more stable and valuable.
How does Socrates relate virtue to knowledge?
He posits that virtue is a type of knowledge and therefore can be taught, arguing that wisdom leads to happiness while ignorance leads to harm.
What is the problem of finding teachers of virtue according to Socrates?
He criticizes sophists who claim to teach virtue and points to examples of Athenian leaders who failed to pass on virtue to their sons.
How does the dialogue conclude regarding the teachability of virtue?
Socrates suggests that virtue may be a “gift from the gods” that is not accompanied by understanding.
What does Meno’s paradox suggest?
It argues that one cannot search for what they know (no need to search) or what they don’t know (don’t know what to look for).
Define “Virtue” (aretē)
A central concept in Greek philosophy often translated as “excellence,” referring to qualities that make a person good and enable them to live a flourishing life.
Define “Recollection” (anamnēsis).
The theory that the soul has innate knowledge from past existences and that learning is a process of recalling this knowledge.
