Socrates Definition of Virtue Essay Example

Introduction

At the time Socrates was defining what goodness was, they were in dialog with Mena. It is seen that Mena is reduced by Socrates who believes that he knew what morality was. After Mena attempting to define what virtue is three times and getting them wrong, Socrates finally defines virtue as something important which people should have. He believes good things can only be good if they are supplemented by wisdom and knowledge. For example, it is good for one to have courage, but it is just essential for wise people because if a fool has got courage, it will lead to recklessness since they do not know how to use them. Therefore, virtue can be defined as a form of knowledge. He continues to argue that morality cannot be taught because there are inadequate virtue teachers. He goes on to give an example of Aristides who were good people and managed to teach their children skills such as music and horse riding, but they were unable to teach their children how to be virtuous like them. He suggests that good men acquire virtue as God's which is similar to poetic. This is because there is an inspiration by poetry writers, but they cannot fully explain to people how they do it but believe it is a gift from the gods. In his definition, there is controversy because if virtue is knowledge or wisdom, it can be taught.

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Virtue definition needed by Socrates

He believes that things related to virtue must have something in common and that is why they are referred to as virtues. For a concept to have a good definition, one should identify and understand the universal essence or core. He wants the definition of morality to have an analogy. He gives an example that when you are defining a shape, you do not use triangles, circles or square to describe it because all these figures have this shape. This means that universal definition for virtue should be intellectually perceived. An attribute cannot be defined by the ability to acquire beautiful and subtle things. Different people have different virtues because the effort to get cute things considered good differs. But the satisfaction of desires by learning these things can be either done in a good or bad way. Meaning this ability is used or exercised well thus being termed as a virtue.

Dictionary definition of virtue

Dictionary definition about goodness is sufficed because it defines morality as quality or traits that are considered to be morally upright and this is considered as the foundation of principle and good moral being. Its importance is that it helps people to do what is right and avoid to do what is not accepted. According to the dictionary, it is not any wisdom or knowledge. If virtue were knowledge, they are supposed to have been taught in which they lack teachers to do such a job. I can agree with the dictionary defining it as traits as they are genetically indomitable characteristics. Due to this, one can have distinguished characteristics or qualities that belong to that person and help them to recognize what is good or bad. Knowledge only comes from one being virtuous, and it arises from the fact of understanding what is evil or good.

Constraints in the definition of virtue

The Socrates confuses people because they do not have the idea of what attribute is because they have instances rather than the fact. For example, shape definition as round or a description of color as white. This is of less importance when it comes to the definition of virtue. According to Socrates definition, it is confusing despite him concluding that morality is knowledge although it is not necessary since it appears that this virtue cannot be taught due to lack of teachers to teach wisdom. This brings constrain to the definition of morality because it is not only through knowledge of guidance one can succeed in their affairs. This shows that it is hard to define what virtue is. The definition of attributes is one in quintessence that results to constraints since the Socrates defined it and is supposed to have the similar meaning and a direction. If it is according to these lances, the general definitions are bewildered by courage since it lacks its essence and cannot be removed from other virtues by explaining it is of importance.

I do not think Socrates definition of morality is right because it entails knowledge which one can learn about it. But according to the Socrates, it cannot be determined to mean that attribute cannot be knowledge or wisdom as he proposes. But virtue can be an inborn trait which helps one to differentiate what is bad or good. Also, morality of an individual can be determined by the place they live since they might acquire the bad or good ways from those surrounding them.