Meno: Suggested Essay Topics

Describe the Socratic elenchus and its purpose.

What is an eidos in the Platonic sense? How is the term used differently here than in later dialogues?

Who were the Sophists, and why do Socrates and Plato dislike them?

What are two mistakes does Meno makes about the nature of a definition?

How does Socrates define shape and color? Contrast the style of these two definitions.

What are Socrates' objections to Meno's definition of virtue as the desire for beautiful things and the power to acquire them?

What paradox do Meno and Socrates face with regard to seeking what they do not know? How does Socrates answer this paradox?

Describe the general steps in Socrates' examination of Meno's slave.

What lesson does Socrates draw from the examination of the slave?

What are Socrates' two "hypotheses" about whether virtue can be taught?

What is the relationship between virtue and knowledge in the Meno?

What is the difference between knowledge and true opinion? How does Socrates illustrate this difference?

Why does Socrates quote Theognis?

What have Socrates and Meno concluded about virtue by the end of the dialogue?

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