Describe the Paradox of Inquiry in the Meno. How is the paradox solveed?

Answer 1

Meno is a Socratic dialogue written by Plato. Written in the Socratic dialectic style, it attempts to determine the definition of virtue, meaning in this case virtue in general, rather than particular virtues (e.g., justice, temperance, etc.). The goal is a common definition that applies equally to all particular virtues.

The dialogue starts with Meno asking Socrates to tell him what virtue is. Socrates, in his usual style, professes ignorance. Meno suggests that there are many different types of virtues, for example, some are appropriate for men, some for women, some for slaves, others for children. Socrates does not accept this explanation, but instead wants to know what is the common quality that makes all these different things virtues.

The conversation continues, with Socrates and Meno able to list many particular virtues, but unable to find the thing which they all have in common and which makes them all virtues — until Meno proposes desire for good (in the moral sense) things as the definition.

Socrates questions this definition, suggesting that no one knowingly desires evil, and thus the desire for good is common in all men. Meno adds that the good things must be obtained in the right way, so being wealthy would be a virtue if the wealth were obtained in a just way. Socrates spots a circular argument at this point, with virtue being defined as that which is obtained in a virtuous way. Meno gives up at this point, saying:

"For my soul and my tongue are really torpid, and I do not know how to answer you; and though I have been delivered of an infinite variety of speeches about virtue before now, and to many persons – and very good ones they were, as I thought – at this moment I cannot even say what virtue is." (80b)

At this point, Meno introduces an epistemological problem: "And how will you enquire, Socrates, into that which you do not know? What will you put forth as the subject of enquiry? And if you find what you want, how will you ever know that this is the thing which you did not know?" In other words, how is one to know when one has arrived at the truth when one does not know what the truth is?

Socrates suggests that all acquisition of knowledge is in fact a matter of anamnesis (sometimes translated as recollection, reminiscence, or recall). We never really learn anything; we already know it and only need a reminder. A famous demonstration of this theory ensues: Socrates, through gentle prodding of one of Meno's slaves, elicits a simple geometrical theorem from the boy, though the boy had not before even considered the matter.

Since no one really learns anything, there are no teachers or students, so virtue cannot be taught. This means Meno must redefine virtue.

Without defining virtue, the Meno concludes with Socrates saying:

"Then, Meno, the conclusion is that virtue comes to the virtuous by the gift of god. But we shall never know the certain truth until, before asking how virtue is given, we enquire into the actual nature of virtue [something that Plato doesn't discuss in detail until The Republic]. I fear that I must go away, but do you, now that you are persuaded yourself, persuade our friend Anytus. And do not let him be so exasperated; if you can conciliate him, you will have done good service to the Athenian people." (100b)

It should be noted that it is unlikely that Socrates actually believes in his conclusion that virtue is a divine gift. Socrates suggests two possible teachers of virtue, being the Sophists and the good men of Athens, and rules out both possibilities. Plato, however, having written the Meno, is making a philosophical jest. A third and rather obvious possible teacher of virtue is Socrates himself, and it is clear that Plato believes that his instructor has the ability to impart wisdom and virtue upon his students as he has done with Plato.

Answer 2

David’s answer is good, but just for fun I want to add a couple of thoughts. The basic problem is: How can we recognize the right answer to a question if we do not already know the answer? Socrates maintains that, in effect, we really do know the answer because all learning is really just a form of remembering what we have forgotten.

The paradox is extremely interesting, and the answer that Socrates gives is very clever, but is it right? And if Socrates is right, then we have to puzzle over what it means. In what sense do we already “know” the answer? How and why did we “forget” the answer? On the other hand, if Socrates is wrong, then we are back to the original paradox. How DO we recognize a correct answer?

I will keep this as brief as possible by stating that I do not think that Socrates is entirely correct. I believe that knowledge is, most basically, a FEELING. There is something that it feels like for us to believe that 2+2=4, and this experience feels different than not believing it. If believing did not feel different than not-believing, then we would not be able to distinguish between believing and not-believing. And believing that 2+2=4 FEELS different than believing that 2+3=5. Again, if the experiences of having these two beliefs did not feel different to us, we could not distinguish between the two beliefs.

So how do we know when we are given a correct answer? We FEEL like it is the correct answer. We can employ logical thinking to increase or decrease the strength of this feeling, but our beliefs in the value of logic are essentially feelings about the value of logic, so no matter how logical we try to be, the bottom line always comes down to what it feels like to believe things.

So now the questions becomes, WHY does “2+2=4” FEEL right to us, while “2+2=5” feels wrongs? I think that this month’s Scientific American (November 2006) gives us some clues. They have an article called “Mirrors in the Mind.” Mirror neurons are a special class of cells in the brain that mediate our ability to mimic, learn and understand the actions and intentions of others. Basically, when we “understand” someone’s behavior, these mirror neurons are activated, and they are the essentially a subset of the same neurons (and other bodily responses like muscle tensions, etc.) that are active when we exhibit the same behavior. Exactly how this relates to more abstract forms of knowledge like math problems is still unclear, but I think this is on the right track. Our capacity for using metaphors is also an important part of this picture, and for some interesting reading on this I suggest a book called “Metaphors We Live By” by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson. Also: “Philosophy in the Flesh: The Embodied Mind and Its Challenge to Western Thought” by the same authors.
Bottom line: In a certain sense, Socrates is right. When we understand something, our bodies are “remembering.” But what we remember is not “the answer” as such. What happens is that embodied feelings are triggered that are associated with things we have learned in the past. The more similarities there are between how we felt when we learned things in the past and how we feel about the things we are experiencing now, the strong the feeling of “knowing” is. Of course there is no guarantee that this is actually knowledge – it could just be false belief.

Answer 3

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Thank you for your insight. You should be congratulated for your ability to present such a well thought analysis of the situation. While I agree with you wholeheartedly, I think we need to be careful to not engage them and hurl back insults or venom. While we do have a right to defend our beliefs, there is a line that should not be crossed. While it is easy for us to say to ignore them and it is only between you and Christ, deep down it really tears at my heart. I love all Christians and feel if push came to shove, I would really do whatever needed to be done to not only help a fellow Christian, but any person in need. We are all God's brothers and sisters. When I see people on this site consistently, methodically, and systematically attacking my beliefs with such enthusiasm, it really makes my blood boil. However, I must take the high road and not respond in kind. Most of all I feel they are violating the greatest commandment: John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another. Thanks again for your support and take care.