Plato's Meno

Plato's Meno was written in 380 B.C. and is a discussion between Socrates, and a character named Meno. It is a very long discussion about virtues: The definition, and whether or not they can be taught. The character of Socrates has so much thoughts and asks a lot of questions, which is comon in philosophy.

Socrates was a Greek philosopher who lived from 469 to 399 BC. He was born in Athens and affected western philosophy greatly through his teachings to Plato. Socrates was the son of Sophroniscus, who was a sculptor, and Phaenarete, who was considered a midwife, and he had elementary teaching in literature, music, and gymnastics. He took on his father's profession as a sculptor and created the statue of 3 Graces that stood at the entrance of the Acropolis until the 2nd century. He also was a soldier serving in the Peloponnesian War as an infantry man. The Socrates portrayed in Plato's Meno is trying to decide whether virtue is something that can be taught.Socrates was a man who believed that arguments were more meaningful than any writing. He obeyed the law, but tried to stay away from politics, but in 399 BC, he was charged with neglecting the gods and bringing in new divinities. His friends offered to help him escape, but he refused because he wanted to die with dignity. He spent his last day on earth with family and friends, and in the evening, he willingly drank a glass of hemlock and died. (source)

Plato was a Greek philosopher and one of the greatest thinkers in western philosophy. He was born in Athens in about 428 BC and died around 347 BC. He was born to Ariston( who was believed to be a descendant from one of the early kings of Athens) and Perictione, an Aristocratic family. When he was a young man, his father died and he became a disciple of Socrates. In 399 BC he witnessed the death of Socrates and in fear of his own life, fled to Sicittending the academy was Aristotle. In 367 BC, he went to Sicily to tutor Dionysiusly, Italy, and Egypt. After returning to Athens, in 387 he created the Academy in Athens, which was the first university in Europe. The Academy offered such subjects as astronomy, biology, mathematics, political theory, and philosophy. One of the best students a, who was the new ruler of Syracuse, in philosophical rule. He had no success, but returned to Sicily in 361, this time having little success. Socrates died at around 80 years old and had spent the last years of his life teaching at the Academy and writings. Most of his writings were in dialogues of philosophical ideas. His earliest works were 35 dialogues and 13 letters. One of his greatest works was called Meno. Many of Plato's works were long discussions on topics like virtues, wisdom, courage, and moderation, and many of them were acurate discussions of Socrates.(source)

Plato 's Meno is a long story that is a discussion between Socrates and a character named Meno. In the discussion, Socrates is asking about virtue and if it is something that can be taught. For a long time, they are first trying to define what virtue really is. One of Meno's suggestions is that virtue is the desire of good things, which Socrates says that all man desires good in some way, and the power to secure those things. After a while in the discussion, even Meno is confused by the teachings of Socrates. Meno wants to go back to the original question of whether or not virtue can be taught, and Socrates has two ideas. One is that virtue is a type of knowledge, so it is teachable, and his other is that if there is any good that is not knowledge, then virtue ifs not knowledge, therefore, can not be taught. Meno decides for himself that virtue can be taught, but Socrates till is wondering. In the end, Socrates decides that virtue can not be taught, nor can you be born with it. He thinks that virtue is just a gift from the gods only given to certain people.

Meno is a great work that teaches us a lot and gives us different perspectives. We see that there are more answers than just yes and no, or right or wrong. Even socrates and Meno end up having difference in opinions.

Meno. Plato. 380 B.C.E.


Sacks, David. "Socrates." Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Revised Edition. Revised by Lisa R. Brody. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005.