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Plato's view of virtue
Platos view on virtue
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Something that can be seen as either a major flaw in his argument or a strategic appeal is his lack of presenting opposing views. He didn’t recognize any counterarguments. He only spoke from his perspective, without exploring the views of his opposition. This could hurt him because his argument was not solidified by his responses to obvious oppositions, but this choice could help Edmundson in making an ethical appeal to the audience. Edmundson seems genuine by not trying to argue with possible oppositions; he comes off as having pure intentions of changing the path of the next generation.
Euthyphro tries to explain him that he was doing the same as Zeus did to his father and therefore being pious. But Socrates argues that it is just an example and not an explanation. He tries again and says what gods like is pious and what they dislike is not. But Socrates points out the fallacy in that argument that one god might not agree with another to which he replies in his third attempt what all gods like is pious and what they all hate is impious. Here, in this example we can see that how he searches for a concrete and complete definition for being pious.
In the dialogue Evodius asks Augustine whether or not God is the creator of evil, in order to answer this Augustine must work with Evodius to determine what evil is and from there who are its creators. Augustine demonstrates that God is not the creator of evil, only just punishment, and the evil humans create is of their own doing, is a form of ignorance, and because evil is punished by God, being evil is harmful to evil beings. Meno’s definition of Virtue at this point in the dialogue states that virtue is “desiring fine things and being able to acquire them” (Baird and Kaufmann, 156). Socrates replies with the observation that it seems some people desire evil, which he defines later on as what brings about unhappiness and misfortune.
His definition equivocates knowledge and courage itself, rather than saying knowledge is necessary for courage. However, knowledge is not the only necessary condition for courage in his definition. Thus, the particulars of fearful and hopeful become problematic for Socrates. As Socrates points out through further questioning if one were to have such knowledge as stated by Nicias - one would have knowledge of all virtues, “of practically all goods and evils put together” (199d1). The elenctic method draws out contradictions in Nicias beliefs, leading again to a conflicted answer.
In the Meno, we are introduced to Socrates’ “paradox of inquiry.” It states that “if you know what you’re looking for, inquiry is unnecessary” and “if you don’t know what you’re looking for, inquiry is impossible.” He questions Meno on what Virtue is and after repeated inquiry he is unable to come up with a definition. He then calls upon
The Odyssey ~ Homer ~ Adventure, Epic Poetry, Folklore The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle ~ Avi ~ Adventure, Bildungsroman, Historical From opinion, the most memorable moment of The Odyssey by Homer is when Odysseus and his faithful men execute the daring escape from Polyphemus the Cyclops, son of Poseidon the Earthshaker. In this section of the epic, Odysseus presents his cunning and daring character, showing ingenuity and athleticism as well. The thought put into the plan shows the intelligence Odysseus holds, for no man could ever have in mind such a brilliant plan. Great athleticism is shown through the red hot staff, as he and his comrades pick up the heavy object and drive it into the single eye of the Cyclops.
Moral virtues to some may seem outdated in the contemporary times, however, they are necessary in most aspects of day to day life. For example, according to William W. Fortenbaugh in Aristotle’s Conception of Moral Virtue and Its Perceptive Role, “[…] good deliberate choice requires both moral virtue and practical reason” (77). Making a good decision requires guidance and moral virtue accompanied by practical reason help to make it. This, “good deliberate choice,” is what makes moral virtues needed still in today’s society and support Aristotle’s moral theory. Whether the good deliberate choice is helping someone else or doing what is morally right, they are usually shadowed by a virtuous undertone.
(71a-71b). He tried to convince Meno of not knowing anybody in Athens who can answer the question of what virtue is (71b). Meno reacts to this by feeling a certain degree of disbelief, when he says, “...Socrates, do you really not know what virtue is? Are we to report this about you to the folks back home?” (71b-71c)
Virtue is defined in many ways. Some say that it comes from the Latin word ‘virtus’, meaning virtue or courage, which comes from the other Latin word ‘vir’, which means man, meaning that virtue is the qualities of a man, such as courage. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines virtue as, “conformity to a standard of right [and/or] a particular moral excellence” (Merriam-Webster 899). With all these definitions floating around, it is hard to determine what virtues really is and what it really means to have virtue. In Plato’s Meno, Socrates and Meno discuss the definition of virtue and whether it can be taught.
However, there are neither teacher nor learner. Therefore " virtue cannot be taught". Even though, the result are seems to be contradictory but they are logically right and that is what Socrates prove in this part of the dialogue which take us back to one of his early statement in the whole dialogue when he says" Good stranger, you must think me happy indeed if you think I know weather virtue can be taught or how it comes to be"(Meno. 71c). Socrates prove that he is in stronger position than Meno because in the end he prove that virtue is not teachable not because of its nature but because there are no qualified teacher not
How Socrates (2000) mention above that wealth does not create a wise person, but a wisdom creates the good deeds for people. (p.10). Consequently, his meaning about excellence and wealth is correct because excellence is wisdom, justice, and virtue and these things can not be bought for money. Firstly, one of the different types of excellence is a wisdom.
Throughout the history, there have been heated discussions on what constitutes a good life. Philosophers have given different annotations on the meaning of good life based on their beliefs, perspectives or even scientific-based evidences. Some view a good life as an accumulation of material goods that brings “large amount” of pleasure to oneself. On the other hand, Mencius and Aristotle advocate good life as possessing of pleasure that incorporates ethical values and they believe that by doing so one will experience enduring happiness. There is no ultimate right or wrong for these interpretations since this is not a factual question.
Essential Virtues: Achieving a Good Life Man has always sought after what he deemed a “good life”. A good life is being able to achieve one’s goals, pursuit of happiness, or when life’s blessings outweigh the burdens. Virtues help guide one to become morally excellent and live a fulfilling life. A virtue can be a behavior, personality trait, or habit that affects one’s emotions, perceptions and choice in life.
The ultimate goal of human life for Plato is to know and understand the truth or the “eidos” of the “good”. The only way for us to see this truth is through our minds. The truth is not accessible in the physical world but in the intellectual realm. For us to be happy or for use to know the truth is only when we are beyond our physical sense it is a totally different level. So according to Plato, “knowledge” and “virtue” are corollary meaning that as long as one exists the other will follow.
Have you ever dreamed to live well? Or Did you know someone who has lived a good life? If so, how can you define a good life? According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, the good life can be defined as “a life marked by a high standard of Living. The good life can be defined as a way that someone plans to live virtuously by having a great education, enough money, and helping others.