Notes On Meno Submitted
Notes On Meno Submitted
Notes On Meno Submitted
Before knowing how to acquire Virtue or how it operates or where it comes from,
we ought to know what Virtue is in the first place.
Virtue is the same to everyone. Simile in multis
Mere acquisition of good will is not be virtue.
The dilemma in asking what you know and what you do not know
The soul being born many times just have to remember all he knew therefore we
can enquire anything like, Virtue
To know is o remember
Whether learning comes from the teacher or from recollection?
Virtue is knowledge but it cannot be taught. Even the virtuous men in Greece
failed or cannot teach their sons virtue. There are no teachers and students of
virtue.
True opinion and knowledge are the only right guides to attain virtue.
Virtue comes by the gift of God.
a. In the dialogue Socrates never said that Meno nor Anytus nor any of
the characters were wrong. He just made them realize the
consequences of their ideas or thoughts. Socrates never takes side. He
never even said that his ideas are better that the others.
b. In the classroom, the teacher should not claim to have the monopoly
of truth, always dare the students to think. Great ideas may come
unexpectedly. It may never even come from the teacher.
Do not hesitate to correct any mistakes committed by the
students but do it in a subtle way through this they can learn better.
Beware of students acting as if the know everything make sure that
what they know is correct. In this regard a teacher must know how to
guide a student and may apply idea of the acceptance of ignorance. It is
easier to teach someone who do not know than someone who knows
everything.
a. In the dialogue we saw that the way Socrates handled the slave of
Meno was different from the way he handled Anytus. Before Socrates
talked with the slave he first consulted from Meno the boys
background (thats what should all teachers do. To know the
background of the students) When Socrates tried to explain to the
slave of Meno that learning is just a process of recollection he asked
the boy series of questions that he knew the boy would understand thus
he used a figure (a square) as an example because it is easier for the
boy to comprehend (a square is a very common figure one does not
need a proper education in mathematics to know a square). However,
when Socrates conversed with Anytus who appears to be an intelligent
man, Socrates questions are more intellectual and complex. This was
the point of the dialogue when there is a discussion of whether virtue
can be taught or not. Socrates used exemplars of virtuous man and it
is up Anytus to realize the point Socrates would like to make.