bianuju Nwaigbo
Instructor: Nathan Poage
Class: Phil 1301
Date: 09/15/2016
Discuss the role of wisdom in true virtue according to Meno and the Phaedo
Meno and Phaedo are two important works by Plato (429–347 BC). Plato was greatly influenced by Socrates and included Socrates as basis of many of his literary works. Meno deals specifically with virtue and whether it can be taught. Phaedo is significant as it reveals the conviction of a truth-seeker just before dying for a cause. Phaedo narrates conversation that Socrates had with his disciples in his last day in the ‘gaol’, ahead of consuming the hemlock. Both Meno and Phaedo comprise long and even complex arguments in a way of philosophical deliberation between teacher (Socrates) and disciples (Meno and Phaedo respectively). These dialogs can be an important source of secondary literature to anyone who is interested in knowing philosophies propagated by Plato citing Socrates and his idea of wisdom and true virtue (Approaching Plato). It is well known that Greek philosopher Socrates was given a death sentence on the charge of corrupting youth with his teachings. He …show more content…
Socrates makes a distinction between knowledge and opinion by giving an example that if someone knows the location of Larisa and leads other people to Larisa, then he is a good guide. Also, if a person has a right judgment about the means, but had never been to Larisa (the destination to be reached) should also be a good guide. The effect is equal whether the person has the knowledge about Larisa or true opinion about Larisa. If true opinions are fastened in one’s personality, they start taking a form of knowledge (Plato (a) 51-57). Therefore, Socrates concludes that virtue emanates to the virtuous by the gift of God, it cannot be taught. But one can never know the final truth, until enquiring how virtue is given, pondering wisely over the actual nature of
Instructor: Nathan Poage
Class: Phil 1301
Date: 09/15/2016
Discuss the role of wisdom in true virtue according to Meno and the Phaedo
Meno and Phaedo are two important works by Plato (429–347 BC). Plato was greatly influenced by Socrates and included Socrates as basis of many of his literary works. Meno deals specifically with virtue and whether it can be taught. Phaedo is significant as it reveals the conviction of a truth-seeker just before dying for a cause. Phaedo narrates conversation that Socrates had with his disciples in his last day in the ‘gaol’, ahead of consuming the hemlock. Both Meno and Phaedo comprise long and even complex arguments in a way of philosophical deliberation between teacher (Socrates) and disciples (Meno and Phaedo respectively). These dialogs can be an important source of secondary literature to anyone who is interested in knowing philosophies propagated by Plato citing Socrates and his idea of wisdom and true virtue (Approaching Plato). It is well known that Greek philosopher Socrates was given a death sentence on the charge of corrupting youth with his teachings. He …show more content…
Socrates makes a distinction between knowledge and opinion by giving an example that if someone knows the location of Larisa and leads other people to Larisa, then he is a good guide. Also, if a person has a right judgment about the means, but had never been to Larisa (the destination to be reached) should also be a good guide. The effect is equal whether the person has the knowledge about Larisa or true opinion about Larisa. If true opinions are fastened in one’s personality, they start taking a form of knowledge (Plato (a) 51-57). Therefore, Socrates concludes that virtue emanates to the virtuous by the gift of God, it cannot be taught. But one can never know the final truth, until enquiring how virtue is given, pondering wisely over the actual nature of