Reflection Paper on MENO in the Book "Plato's Five Dialogues"

Socrates is widely known across the globe as among the most prominent philosophers ever in the history. In the Plato's Meno, Meno and Socrates are seen discussing virtue. The two attempts many times to come up with a relevant definition of virtue which they are unable, the one that has always held the truth and does not get defined with itself. The reason why the two find it difficult to come up with an appropriate definition of virtue is that virtue is being considered as being subjective; hence the word varies from a person to another individual. The dialogue begins with Meno inquiring from Meno how a person may acquire virtue. Socrates then replies that the question may be challenging to settle without first of all reaching an agreement regarding what virtue is. In most of the dialogue, Socrates is found resisting the original question which is posed to him about how virtue is acquired. Instead, he chooses to defend himself by claiming that the inquisitor does not understand how he can explain the term in the question and hence the question did not have to be answered logically. Socrates tries justifying the possibility of an individual's mind of uncovering knowledge. Socrates goes ahead to explain the recollection theory through first of all questioning about what is meant by the word virtue and then demonstrating the process of acquiring virtue by questioning a slave boy. This paper will reflect the Meno by concentrating on the theme of virtue.

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The theory about the discussion of Plato's recollection theory evolved from one question, "what is meant by the word virtue?" While questioning Meno about this question when looking for a virtue definition, Socrates claims that Meno only answered the question through giving the virtue categories. Meno asserts that there is a virtue in of a slave, of a man and a woman but he could not quite define virtue on its own. To my understanding, the issue here s that Socrates believes that before Meno answered what virtue is, he would have replied by asking what kind of thing that virtue is and in this inquiry, they could end up with the answer explaining what virtue could be.

The first attempt by Meno to define virtue turns out to be not adequate as instead of determining virtue, he only identifies what a woman and man's virtue is, and he asserts that each has their specific virtue. According to Meno, virtue refers to a collection about how individuals serve others, how, good or gentle they usually act towards others (Zuckert, 2009). However, Socrates demands an overarching definition. It is clear that Socrates agrees with the examples given although he understands that these examples are not statically. While dialogue continues, Socrates is seen to praise the definitions provided by Meno continuously and in the same time reveals exceptions to some of these definitions. At this stage, Socrates may be believed that he was leading Meno towards the manner that he thinks would have led him close to the truth. He does not dismiss all the examples as Socrates agree with Meno at some point. But according to Socrates, the understanding of the virtue of an individual can look decidedly varied for another. In the end, both Meno and Socrates come into one conclusion as they agree that virtue may not be defined accurately and it may not be determined if it is part of an individual's being or if it is learned, but virtue should always be divine.

According to me, this is an indicator that Socrates feels as being unsuccessful to impress Meno about the virtue nature which is hard to define. Instead, he only leads Meno to the divinity. This is the philosophical catchall which Socrates knew very well that Meno would accept it more freely than realization indicating that the concept of virtue could not be defined (Grube & Cooper, 1938). Socrates is found resisting the original question which is posed to him about how virtue is acquired. Instead, he chooses to defend himself by claiming that the inquisitor does not understand how he can explain the term in the question and hence the issue did not have to be answered logically.

What I believe Socrates could have said on the matter regarding virtue is that the virtue concept is itself an illusion that is based on society expectation, maybe of the man. Individually, what is perceived to be living virtuously in the society today may be interpreted differently by individuals having different background or time. The concept revealing that all-encompassing qualities of righteousness, ethics, goodness or virtuousness are troublesome, Socrates is seen leading Meno through since at its core, most of the virtue is usually either based on the religious doctrine that is seen in several world religion, or it is generally found on the societal norms, traditions, and morals. In both ways and either way, the virtue concept remains relative.

According to my experience, virtues usually are based according to an individual's code of ethics. Therefore, most of the Americans will agree that individuals who possess virtue are generally charitable and kind to those people who are in need and utilize wisdom and patience when it comes to making of decisions which involve other people. However, people also judge and view a group of individuals with the claim that their beliefs do not conform to theirs perfectly. Without knowing the background of another culture, society or religion, it is difficult for any given individual to say what is wrong or right for another (Fowers, 2005). This is because one cannot acknowledge the kind of motives that are behind the person's actions of another hence its recommendable that one should not attempt defining the concept of virtue on their behalf. My perception about the idea of virtue is when an individual tries to practice or defend their beliefs in an honest way at the same time remaining respectful of other people especially the individuals who are likely not going to agree with you.

Having come from a religion which most individuals do not understand its basics, I try hard to avoid sounding harsh while discussing religion with an individual who is from different beliefs; although I feel that they are in a given way offending me. Instead, I react by trying to convey to that individual what I have faith in so that they cannot repeat similarly hurting me. Gong past religion, which I believe as an example of what I define virtue as is that I usually define virtue concept for myself and uphold it, even if the other individual's definition of the theory surrounding virtue probably involves a practice that is against my belief which the other individual has sustained. I, therefore, believe that Socrates made this very clear about his aversion of defining what virtue is as he asserts that virtue definition can be what individuals want it to be.

From the reading and following delving into the meaning of the concept revolving around virtue, the definition of virtue can never be achieved given that people are only thinking for themselves. People think that they know something, but when it includes something which is regarded as being subjective, it is appropriate when people start admitting that they can only define it for themselves and must always have that in another mind.

Conclusion

To conclude, the entire dialogue provides two main definitions regarding what virtue is. The first definition of virtue explains that virtue is a form of divinity which interlined and granted by God to an individual who is right. However, Socrates does not concentrate on this definition of the concept of virtue, and he focuses n the second definition. The second definition of virtue implies that virtue can never be taught according to the basis on which a virtuous person would like to teach others. Socrates tries to explore the subject that a person can not only acquire knowledge via perception, but they can also acquire knowledge via hard work and reason. Therefore, Meno can be considered as the one who has the two definitions of the concept of virtue.

References

Fowers, B. J. (2005). Virtue and psychology: Pursuing excellence in ordinary practices. American Psychological Association.

Grube, G. M. A., & Cooper, J. M. (1938). Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo. Hackett Publishing.

Zuckert, C. H. (2009). Plato's philosophers: the coherence of the dialogues. University of Chicago Press.