Philosophy 1050: Introduction to Philosophy Week 5: Plato and arguments

Socrates and Virtue: What is virtue? Often, when we want to know what something actually is, we can just look and see. (Examples: plants, animals, clouds, etc.) Often, when we want to know what something actually is, we can just look and see. (Examples: plants, animals, clouds, etc.) In other cases, where we can’t just look and see, we must use our powers of thought and reasoning to find out. In other cases, where we can’t just look and see, we must use our powers of thought and reasoning to find out.

Exercise: Definitions and Reasons Giving definitions of concepts like “virtue” means giving reasons for why we think the way we do. Giving definitions of concepts like “virtue” means giving reasons for why we think the way we do. In giving reasons, we are not just giving “our opinion.” We are adding to our opinion a basis that we can discuss, defend, and criticize. In giving reasons, we are not just giving “our opinion.” We are adding to our opinion a basis that we can discuss, defend, and criticize.

Socrates and Virtue: The road to Larissa “…For true opinions, as long as they remain, are a fine thing … but they are not willing to remain long, and they escape from a man’s mind, so that they are not worth much until one ties them down by [giving] an account of the reason why.” (97e-98a) “…For true opinions, as long as they remain, are a fine thing … but they are not willing to remain long, and they escape from a man’s mind, so that they are not worth much until one ties them down by [giving] an account of the reason why.” (97e-98a)

Socrates and Virtue Meno’s first definition (pp ): “…If you want the virtue of a man, it is easy to say that a man’s virtue consists of being able to manage public affairs and in so doing to benefit his friends and harm his enemies … if you want the virtue of a woman … she must manage the home well, preserve its possessions, and be submissive to her husband…” Meno’s first definition (pp ): “…If you want the virtue of a man, it is easy to say that a man’s virtue consists of being able to manage public affairs and in so doing to benefit his friends and harm his enemies … if you want the virtue of a woman … she must manage the home well, preserve its possessions, and be submissive to her husband…”

Socrates: defining definition “Even if [the virtues] are many and various, all of them have one and the same form which makes them virtues, and it is right to look to this when one is asked to make clear what virtue is.” (p. 61) “Even if [the virtues] are many and various, all of them have one and the same form which makes them virtues, and it is right to look to this when one is asked to make clear what virtue is.” (p. 61) Other examples: health, size, strength. Other examples: health, size, strength.

Socrates and virtue: Definitions When we give a definition, we want something that is: When we give a definition, we want something that is: –Informative. It should actually tell us something about the thing being defined. –Accurate. It should tell the truth about the real nature of what is being defined. –Rational. It should be based on reasons for thinking that the thing being defined is really the way it says it is, rather than just one’s own decision or opinion.

Socrates and Virtue: The road to Larissa (97a-98b) What is Socrates saying about the difference between knowledge and opinion? What is Socrates saying about the difference between knowledge and opinion? What are some of the reasons behind what he is saying? What are some of the reasons behind what he is saying? How might you support Socrates’ point? How might you dispute it? How might you support Socrates’ point? How might you dispute it?

Socrates and Virtue: The road to Larissa “…For true opinion, as long as they remain, are a fine thing … but they are not willing to remain long, and they escape from a man’s mind, so that they are not worth much until one ties them down by [giving] an account of the reason why.” (97e-98a) “…For true opinion, as long as they remain, are a fine thing … but they are not willing to remain long, and they escape from a man’s mind, so that they are not worth much until one ties them down by [giving] an account of the reason why.” (97e-98a)

Socrates and Virtue: Summary When we look for an account of virtue, we are looking for a definition that explains what it is and also how we can know about it. When we look for an account of virtue, we are looking for a definition that explains what it is and also how we can know about it. If we cannot know just by looking, we may have to use thought and reason to find out. If we cannot know just by looking, we may have to use thought and reason to find out. Using reason means giving an account that has reasons behind it: one that “ties down” what we believe with reasons and arguments that can be articulated, compared, and defended. Using reason means giving an account that has reasons behind it: one that “ties down” what we believe with reasons and arguments that can be articulated, compared, and defended.

Plato: Recollection The slave boy answers a series of questions about the length of lines and the sizes of squares The slave boy answers a series of questions about the length of lines and the sizes of squares At no point does Socrates ever tell him or instruct him as to the correct answer At no point does Socrates ever tell him or instruct him as to the correct answer

Plato: Recollection The slave boy comes to know the answer without having ever been taught The slave boy comes to know the answer without having ever been taught If he has never been taught, but finds the knowledge within himself, he must be remembering or recollecting something he already knew If he has never been taught, but finds the knowledge within himself, he must be remembering or recollecting something he already knew

Plato: Recollection “If, then, during the time he exists and is not a human being he will have true opinions which, when stirred by questioning, become knowledge, will not his soul have learned during all time?” (Socrates, 86a). “If, then, during the time he exists and is not a human being he will have true opinions which, when stirred by questioning, become knowledge, will not his soul have learned during all time?” (Socrates, 86a).

Plato: Recollection What does Plato’s theory of recollection suggest about the nature of the soul? What does Plato’s theory of recollection suggest about the nature of the soul? What sorts of knowledge might be “within us” like the knowledge that the slave boy finds? What sorts of knowledge might be “within us” like the knowledge that the slave boy finds? How do we “stir up” our souls to bring out what is in them already? How do we “stir up” our souls to bring out what is in them already?

Plato and recollection: Summary For things and ideas that we do not know about simply by looking and seeing, we must use reasoning and thinking to find out what we know. For things and ideas that we do not know about simply by looking and seeing, we must use reasoning and thinking to find out what we know. According to Socrates, this means using our reason to “stir up” opinions or ideas that we have always had, even though we may have forgotten them. According to Socrates, this means using our reason to “stir up” opinions or ideas that we have always had, even though we may have forgotten them. If the soul indeed has knowledge of some things that it has never seen and never been taught, this suggests that the soul is immortal and survives even when the body dies. If the soul indeed has knowledge of some things that it has never seen and never been taught, this suggests that the soul is immortal and survives even when the body dies.