Essay On Meno's Paradox By Socrates

Definitions today of virtue go along the lines of possessing the behavior that depicts high moral standards. Plato, one of Socrates’s greatest protégés, created a great piece called Meno. In this work, he follows the conversation between Socrates and Meno, and their discussion on the meaning of virtue. The stories opens up with Meno asking Socrates the meaning of virtue. Socrates does not answer the question, but ask Meno what he think is the definition of virtue. In his opinion, he feels that for a man to have virtue, he must being able to manage public affairs in a way that benefits his friends but harms only his enemies. As the stories goes on, Socrates adds the words justice, moderation and piety to Meno’s definition. Meno then redefines his definition to desire beautiful things and have the power to acquire them. As for Socrates, he feels that there is …show more content…
They label this part of the conversation’ Meno’s Paradox’. Meno believes that virtue is unteachable and is impossible to learn. One point he raises is, how can you learn something if you already know it. For example, let’s consider the talent of yo-yoing. If you already possess the skills to perform the action of the toy, and also the ability to do tricks, how can you learn more? Another point he brings up is that you either know it or you don’t. The final and strongest argument Meno has is, where you would send someone to profess in this ability. Again, consider the yo-yo example. You may find the world’s best yo-yo-er to teach you how to be better, but in respect to virtue, where would you find the most virtuous person? There were two great suggestions of people to learn virtue from, a sophist or a good man. Both were not considered valid answers because a good man cannot produce good sons. A sophist cannot teach virtue because they themselves are debating if virtue is teachable or not. So, from Meno’s evidence, learning is