The Meno by Plato. - HTML preview

69

Meno

SOCRATES: And if there were teachers, it might SOCRATES: But if virtue is not taught, neither is be taught; and if there were no teachers, not?

virtue knowledge.

MENO: True.

MENO: Clearly not.

SOCRATES: But surely we acknowledged that SOCRATES: Then of two good and useful things, there were no teachers of virtue?

one, which is knowledge, has been set aside, and MENO: Yes.

cannot be supposed to be our guide in political life.

SOCRATES: Then we acknowledged that it was MENO: I think not.

not taught, and was not wisdom?

SOCRATES: And therefore not by any wisdom, MENO: Certainly.

and not because they were wise, did Themistocles SOCRATES: And yet we admitted that it was a and those others of whom Anytus spoke govern good?

states. This was the reason why they were un-MENO: Yes.

able to make others like themselves—because SOCRATES: And the right guide is useful and their virtue was not grounded on knowledge.

good?

MENO: That is probably true, Socrates.

MENO: Certainly.

SOCRATES: But if not by knowledge, the only al-SOCRATES: And the only right guides are knowl-ternative which remains is that statesmen must edge and true opinion—these are the guides of have guided states by right opinion, which is in man; for things which happen by chance are not politics what divination is in religion; for divin-under the guidance of man: but the guides of ers and also prophets say many things truly, but man are true opinion and knowledge.

they know not what they say.

MENO: I think so too.

MENO: So I believe.