The dialogues of Plato in five volumes, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Translated into English with analyses and introductions — Plato — John Shaqi
The dialogues of Plato in five volumes, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Translated into English with analyses and introductions
Plato · en
Socrates reminds Meno that this is only an enumeration of the 73
virtues and not a definition of the notion which is common to
them all. In a second attempt Meno defines virtue to be ‘the
power of command.’ But to this, again, exceptions are taken.
For there must be a virtue of those who obey, as well as of those
who command; and the power of command must be justly or not
unjustly exercised. Meno is very ready to admit that justice is
virtue: ‘Would you say virtue or a virtue, for there are other
virtues, such as courage, temperance, and the like; just as round 74
is a figure, and black and white are colours, and yet there are
other figures and other colours. Let Meno take the examples
of figure and colour, and try to define them.’ Meno confesses
his inability, and after a process of interrogation, in which Socrates
explains to him the nature of a ‘simile in multis,’ Socrates 75
himself defines figure as ‘the accompaniment of colour.’ But
some one may object that he does not know the meaning of the
word ‘colour;’ and if he is a candid friend, and not a mere
disputant, Socrates is willing to furnish him with a simpler and
more philosophical definition, into which no disputed word is
allowed to intrude: ‘Figure is the limit of form.’ Meno imperiously 76
insists that he must still have a definition of colour.
Some raillery follows; and at length Socrates is induced to reply,
‘that colour is the effluence of form, sensible, and in due proportion
to the sight.’ This definition is exactly suited to the taste
of Meno, who welcomes the familiar language of Gorgias and
Empedocles. Socrates is of opinion that the more abstract or
dialectical definition of figure is far better.
[Sidenote: _Analysis 78-81._]