Is Socrates a teacher? During the dialogue between Socrates and Meno one of the questions raised is can Socrates be a teacher of virtue. This question, however, becomes more complicated when the matter concerns virtue itself. For teaching virtue Socrates first must identify its meaning and nature and then argue if he can teach it or not. Further on, Socrates comes to discuss his own capability of teaching and his defence here is that he, as a philosopher, has his own students, or its better to say disciples, whom he teaches better that anyone he meets in the street. Then it was not less important to clear out who, what individual, can be a teacher of virtue. During the conversation, Meno changed his points of view many times.
For example, his points of view on the notion of virtue. This process evidences that Socrates attempted to influence on him and stimulated a certain progress in Menos outlook. Thus, by means of the analysis of Menos changes I will prove that Socrates can be a teacher of virtue. From the beginning of the dialogue, it becomes clear that the issue of meaning and nature of virtue is important for finding solution in the question whether it is teachable or not. How can Meno search for knowledge of virtue if he doesnt know what it is? On the other hand, if Meno knows what virtue is why he should search for it? So, first of all Socrates asked if Meno knew what virtue was. Of course, Meno was sure he knew it. Soc:By the gods, Meno, be generous, and tell me what you say that virtue is Meno: There will be no difficulty, Socrates, in answering your question. Let us take first the virtue of a man-he should know how to administer the state, and in the administration of it to benefit his friends and harm his enemies; and he must also be careful not to suffer harm himself. A woman’s virtue, if you wish to know about that, may also be easily described: her duty is to order her house, and keep what is indoors, and obey her husband.
The Essay on Best/Worst Teacher
Dear Mrs. Jane: My name is Jessica Smith, I was a 5th grade student of yours in during the 1996/1997 school year. At that time you may have known me as Jessica Cuevas. I am now in college pursuing a career in teaching. Recently I have been asked to write a letter to my favorite teacher and you were the first to pop in mind. Till this day I can think back and remember sitting in your class the ...
(Meno, 70).
These were Menos views on virtue at the beginning of the dialogue. Socrates set priority of distinguishing nature of virtue over Menos questions whether virtue could be taught. While discussing the nature of virtue, there were three possibilities mentioned: 1) virtue is knowledge, and if it is, if can be taught; 2) virtue is a habit and it can acquired; 3) virtue is a quality given by God or by nature, and thus it can be neither taught, nor acquired. The second and the third possibilities were discussed through the episode with the slave and finally Socrates proved that virtue was neither a habit nor a quality. (Meno, 80) If virtue was knowledge, then it should have its teachers. If virtue could have its teacher, then who was capable to teach it? The capability of Socrates teaching was proved by several facts.
First, Socrates was good at persuading, arguing and consequently, logically and analytically thinking. In Apology Socrates admitted that he was eloquent. (Apology 17b).These features, I think, are indispensable for a teacher. Second, Socrates had so to say his own practice as a teacher. It is widely known ancient philosophers had a tradition of teaching their disciples. Socrates followed this tradition as well.
So, having capability of teaching, Socrates either was teaching Meno virtue during the conversation, or he had stopped doing it, or this was impossible. If Socrates was teaching Meno, he should improve him, for example, Socrates should alter Menos mind or way of thinking, or his points of view. It is interesting that after Socrates arguments, Meno drove to many definitions of virtue:1) virtue is different for every age and every action (Meno, 71e-73c); 2) virtue rules over people justly (Meno, 73c-e); 3) virtue is smoothing that desires beautiful things and can acquire them (Meno 77b); 3) virtue has different parts and justice and moderation are some of them. Thus it may be seen that Socrates attempted to make Meno doubt about his knowledge of virtue and frequent changes in Menos convictions evidence that Socrates was teaching Meno. Then followed the suppositions that if virtue was knowledge then teaching should be beneficial. Who could teach it then? The possible answer was wealthy people with good social status., such as sophists, gentlemen and statesmen. Socrates was poor and belonged to neither of them.
The Term Paper on Students Diversity and Teaching Practices
Teaching practice is the practical aspect of teacher training and it is an assortment of factual and dramatic characteristics. During the teaching practice student teachers find an opportunity to use the acquired knowledge, especially in the areas of psychology, teaching methods, teaching principles and teaching techniques. During teaching practice student teachers are like apprentices to acquire ...
But then a new question arose: why some statesmen could not teach their sons virtue? (Apology 25) And more than that, if virtue was really beneficial, why was Socrates poor? (Apology 23b) Probably, the things Socrates taught were not virtues or the supposition about profitability of virtue was false. Soctrates arguments made Meno realize that his pervious ideas about virtue were false and that virtue had a very little influence on somebodys wealth or poverty. (Meno, 96-100) Instead, the thing that really evidenced somebodys value and has intrinsic good was knowledge. Virtue was knowledge. Soc. Then if virtue is knowledge, virtue will be taught? Men. Certainly.
(Meno, 97) Then Socrates, who was a philosopher and possessed knowledge (telling of one Socrates, a wise man, who speculated about the heaven above, and searched into the earth beneath Apology, 18b) – was virtuous. Concequently, the things Socrates taught were virtuous as well. And finally, Socrates could be a teacher of virtue. All in all, Socrates dialogues are full of irony; they are cognitive and reveal dialectics of our world. Socrates described by Plato teaches not only his interlocutors but his reader as well. Socrates taught me that men do not need to possess knowledge about the things they are searching for. Human soul has true opinions within it.
Even if someone has false or mixed opinions he can acquire true knowledge while having a sufficient conversation about the topic. But what is more important, I learnt from these conversations how it is necessary to analyze the subject thoroughly and to apply ones critical mind in ones conception.
Bibliography:
Plato, Meno. The Internet Classics Archive. April 10, 2000, Feb. 24, 2005 . Apology.
Kent Anderson Ph.D and Norm Freund, Ph D. April 18, 2000, Feb. 24, 2005 .
