A simple question posed by Meno to Socrates about virtue—“can virtue be taught”? (70a)—started an intense conversation about the definition of virtue and consequently, virtue's attributes. After concluding that the teachability of virtue would indeed be a characteristic, and without knowing precisely the substance that makes virtue such, Socrates poses the question, what is virtue (71b2)?
[...] Men who knowingly desire bad are aware of the consequences of that which is bad—a state unhappiness as bad things cause harm and harm results in a state of discomfort (78a). A question existing as long as humans have drawn breath is reached—“Does anyone wish to be miserable and unhappy?” (78a4). This is without a doubt, the single most important question. This question unapologetically examines the most primitive premise of the human soul—that which the soul desires or the intention of each soul. [...]
[...] As previously determined, the securing of good things needs to be done justly, as justice is a virtue. This exchange has brought Meno and Socrates closer to an answer to the very first question—whether or not virtue can be taught? For in each human there is the desire for good, a proven quality of virtue. Once man [human] has determined what really is good, virtue is securing that good for one's self. Nearly important as the significance of human intention [...]
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