Prepared by IKY

PHIL 243

Focused/Close Reading Task

“Meno” - An Elenchus on Virtue
Five Dialogues by Plato
1. Whether virtue can be taught discussion- Indepth inquiry about the nature
of the Form (Meno-Socrates Elenchus 70b-80d)
2. Searching for the unknown/known discussion (80e-86b)
Meno’s Slave- Geometry Problem
Meno’s Paradox on inquiring and knowledge
Platonic Forms
3. vSocrates’s argument (Platonic theory) on the immortality of the soul (81b-
Recollection Theory ( Man possesses knowledge [of virtue] not by
nurture/teaching but by nature/birth)
4. Is virtue teachable or a natural gift ( 86d-89d)
One’s soul must be ruled by widom but not by ignorance for the
undertakings of the soul to have positive outcomes and reach happiness
(virtuous state of the soul) e.g/ courage and recklessness(80bc)
If virtue can be transferred from wise men or sophists (89e-96c)
5. Virtue appears to be in those men who possess it as a gift from the gods.
(100b)

“Phaedo”
Five Dialogues by Plato
1. Discussion about pleasure and pain, life and death, body & soul dualities.
Philosophers’ constant disdaining of worldly riches/ pleasures and
contemplation. (60b-69d)
2. Immortality of the soul (70b), The Theory of Opposites (70d-72e)
The theory of Recollection and the knowledge of the Form(73a-78d)
3. The Theory of Affinity: Body & Soul/existence & essence
Reincarnation (82b)
Body is a cage for the soul (82e)
4. The Theory of Attunement(Harmony): Harmony (virtue) & disharmony
(wickedness)- (86a)- (92b-94c.)
5. Death and Afterlife (108b-114de).