Meno's Definition Of Virtue To Socrates

Meno provides two hypothetical definitions of virtue to Socrates. The first definition according to Meno is that virtue is to rule justly. By stating that virtue is to rule, Meno meant that virtue was to be able to rule over people. But Socrates quickly reminds Meno that ruling over others is not a virtue in the instance of the slaves or the children. Furthermore, Socrates remarks that if virtue is to rule, then would it be to rule justly and not unjustly. Meno comes to an agreement, stating that, “justice is virtue.” In which Socrates questions if he has given the actual definition to virtue or if justice is a virtue. Since Meno still fails to understand this distinction between the definition of virtue and instances of virtue, Socrates gives him an example using roundness stating that it is a shape and not that it is shape. Meno then realizes that justice is a virtue and that …show more content…
Socrates objects to the first part of the definition, “a desire for beautiful things” by saying that everyone desires good things even though some desire things that are bad but they do not know they are bad. The second part of this definition is the power to acquire beautiful things. Socrates questions Meno on whether or not acquiring the beautiful things either justly or unjustly is still considered virtue. Meno of course says that it would not be considered virtue if the beautiful things are acquired unjustly, instead it would be wickedness. Therefore the definition of virtue is changed to “virtue is to be able to secure good things with justice.” Socrates examines the definition of virtue once again and proves to Meno that he has not given him a clear definition of virtue because justice is a part of virtue. Socrates states that instead of Meno defining virtue as a whole he is basically acknowledging that anything done with a part of virtue is