Meno-Plato Essay

Meno begins his quest to throw off Socrates explain merit by record by stating that having fine-looking things is to gather in virtue. So I say that virtue is to desire beautiful things and afford the power to acquire them (77b). To help him to on a lower floorstand that this statement is not complete, Socrates inquires near specific attributes that might comprise having something beautiful. These characteristics include wealth, a position of purity, in effect(p)ice, and the seeking of cheer.Only in perfect combination to all(a) of these specific characteristics introduce virtue as a whole (77a) To desire beautiful things essence to secure a practiced thing for matchlessself, according to Socrates. Under this explanation, all men desire good things and the men who desire bad things postulate to attain bad things for some benefit despite the fact that affliction is a potential result. Therefore the act of desiring is with the intention of pursuing happiness as a vir tue.No one then wants what is bad, Meno, unless he wants to be such. For what else is being miserable but to desire bad things and secure them? (78a). This characteristic of attempting to have happiness through securing good things and having power over them is a component of virtue as a whole (77a). Wealth and positions of power, under Socrates definition of virtue as a whole (77a), ar except considered to be components of the spirit of virtue if they are accomplished through just means.It seems then that the acquisition must be accompanied by rightness or moderation or piety or some another(prenominal) part of virtue if it is not, it will not be virtue, even though it provides good things. (78d-e) this reveals that the intention and process of acquiring good things is important to the nature of virtue as a whole. Without just process wealth nor positions of honor are not attributes of virtue because regardless of their significance as good or beautiful, they cannot be truly appreciated as virtuous without chastely righteous intentions.Then to provide these goods would not be virtue any longer than not to provide these goods would not to be virtue any to a greater extent than not to provide them, but apparently whatever is done with jurist will be virtue (79a) justice and good intention are required to be the basis of any good thing in order for it to be considered truly virtuous. However, in true response to Menos search to know the nature of virtue Socrates states that although that virtue as a whole is still under question.In order to understand virtue you must understand each characteristic that makes up virtue. that by tell in terms of the parts of virtue you can make its nature clear (79e) Virtue is not defined by any one definition, rather it is the characteristics and process of attaining these characteristics that comprises the nature of virtue. Socrates refutes Menos assertion that to attain beautiful things is to have virtue.Through this r ejection he goes on to examine this differences between absent good and beautiful things and, attaining bad things under the belief or sentiment that they are, in some way, good. However, having good things is not enough. These good things must be attained justly otherwise their significance to virtue as a whole (77a) is obsolete. These characteristics of wealth, a position of honor, justice, and the pursuit of happiness are in return inclusive and together, begin to describe the nature of virtue.