Plato s Views On The Virtue Of The Virtues Essay

â€Å"As far as I am concerned, the result is that I know nothing, for when I don t know what justice is, I ll hardly know whether it is a kind of virtue or not, or whether a person who has it is happy or unhappy† (Republic 354c) Plato presents Socrates as believing in the unity of the virtues, skeptical of those who, like Meno, wish to treat the virtues as distinct objects of inquiry in dialogues such as Laches, Protagoras, Meno, the Republic, and Euthyphro. These dialogues provide good reason to deny that Plato’s Socrates believed in the numerical identity of the virtues. I shall argue that in the various virtues is one essence (or ‘virtue’), as revealed in a conceptual search for definitional clarity and a metaphysical appeal to Form that encompasses innumerous virtues. I. For Socrates, an adequate definition will reveal the common quality that belongs to both all and only; and necessarily and sufficiently, instances of the virtue that is being defined. In Euthyphro, Socrates addresses these definitional issues by criticizing the paradox presented in the dialogue as follows: â€Å"And so Euthyphro, when you’re asked what the pious is, it looks as though you don’t want to reveal its being to me, but rather to tell me one of its affections—that this happens to the pious, that its loved by all the gods† (Euthyphro 11a). The term ‘being’ here I will interpret as essence, the more commonly utilized semantic in translations of Plato (Ross 2006). An appropriateShow MoreRelatedPlato s Views On Morality And Virtue1819 Words   |  8 PagesSocrates in intellectual argument with a fellow philosopher: Protagoras who claims to be Sophists (professional expert in wisdom) they both use various arguments and counter arguments to prove their arguments on the topic of piety and virtue. Socrates believed that Virtues is something that could not be taught or learned, where Protagoras claimed that he can teach people â€Å"good judgement† in both personal affairs, civil issues and teach political science so that his students will become good citizensRead MoreKant And Kant s Philosophy On Ethics970 Words   |  4 Pagesquestion. A dictionary describes ethics as-moral principles that govern a person s or group s behavior. Is there a universal ethical behavior ? Are all countries ethical ? Theses very same questions many philosophers have tried to figure through time from Socrates to Immanuel kant (and to this very day for the matter!). While comparing two great eathist Plato and Immanuel Kant I, the writer argue that Kant s ideological views on ethics were far superior to Plato’s due to several factors. For one KantRead MoreEssay about Morals and Ethics1134 Words   |  5 Pages Plato, Aristo tle, Augustine, and Nietzsche all had their own ideas for which one could reach happiness in his/her life. All have similarities in there reasoning except Nietzshe, who contradicts the others entirely. Plato states that to understand virtue is happiness. In turn virtue suffices for happiness and is necessary. Also he intuits that human reasoning prevails over spirited element or a person?s appetite. Aristotle?s arguments relate with Plato, but he builds more to it and finds his ownRead MoreSocrates And Aristotle s Life1491 Words   |  6 Pagesdepends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival. The earliest accounts of human history chronicle the struggle for survival against all odds. It is therefore remarkable that roughly 2400 years ago the question of virtue was raised, let alone contemplated at great length, forming a foundation upon which Western philosophers build to the present day. Socrates and Aristotle were two key individuals credited for their roles in the advent of Classical philosophy. MenRead MoreComparing Aristotle s 8 1455 Words   |  6 PagesNow the question is what values should one have to rule, what makes them qualified compared to others. Plato outlines the different aspects of government and why he believes an aristocracy would be better form of government. In book 8 Socrates starts to wrap up his depiction of a just city. He starts to break down the four unjust constitutions of the city and man. Timocracy, which is represented by the honor-driven man who resembles and rules that sort of government. There is an oligarchy, ruledRead MorePlato s Euthyphro And Apology893 Words   |  4 Pagescharacteristics of wisdom. Though Plato was one of the earliest philosophers, the topic of wisdom is still debated by modern philosophers today, contemplating questions such as â€Å"What are the classifications of ‘wisdom’?† According to Plato’s two dialogues, the characteristics of wisdom have a strong correlation with the characteristics of â€Å"being a good person†. This concept highlights the values of virtue and selflessness and at the same time juxtapose views on virtue while taking into account the differentRead MoreSocrates : The Suicide Of Socrates1405 Words   |  6 Pagesfocus was on how to live a good and moral life. A quote that backed that up was an unexami ned life is not worth living (Apology, 38b), which is said by Plato. It is argued that Socrates believed ideals belong in a world only the wise man can understand, making the philosopher the only type of person suitable to govern others. In Plato s writings, Socrates has openly objected to the democracy that ran Athens during his adult life. . Socrates opposition to democracy is often denied, and theRead MoreThe Formations Of The Mankind System1568 Words   |  7 Pagesjustice, being on everyone s lips, is used so often that it may signify nearly anything. Though one of the main meanings given by modern people is the interchangeability of justice with the word â€Å"fairness†. Indeed, in any situation occurred in our everyday life we all want to be treated in a fair way, because we believe that we deserve equal and unbiased treatment - one should not be paid any less because of gender, one should not be judged more roughly because of one s skin color or one should notRead MorePlato And Aristotle s Theories Of Utilitarianism And Kantian Ethic s1408 Words   |  6 PagesThe ancient theories of Plato and Aristotle differ greatly from the contemporary theories of Utilitarianism and Kantian ethics. Plato and Aristotle focused on the importance of virtue in an individual’s life. Plato believed that purity of the soul was the most important thing in life and can be achieved by mastering the four virtues: justice, wisdom, courage, and moderation. Aristotle believed that the goal of human life was to achieve happiness, which is made possible by the cultivation of a justRead MoreAristotle s Realism Philosophy And Philosophy1590 Words   |  7 PagesRealism is an educational philosophy; furthermore it is a teaching that stresses knowledge that develops from one s own senses.in my opinion this is great idea for educational philosphy, because it shows that sense deveolpement is the realest possible learning to have. Under this philosophy the idea exists that there is a real world not constructed by human minds, that can be known by one s own mind. It is through experiencing the world around everyone in which one learns the guiding principles and