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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 5 page overview of Plato's views on virtue (arête), knowledge, and education. The author comments on the controversy surrounding Platonic thought in these areas. No sources are listed.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: AM2_PPplatoV.rtf
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Greek philosophers were captivated with the concept of virtue (ar?te). Arete encapsulated the quality of a thing or an individual. It could range
from physical to mental attributes or even to the more esoteric. Platos perception of ar?te evolved from that of Aristotle who viewed ar?te as knowledge. Plato and Socrates,
Platos teacher, alike questioned both the origin of ar?te and whether or not it could be taught. Socrates contended that virtue (i.e. ar?te) was knowledge and that it was,
in fact, one of the most important human characteristic. Understanding ar?te was the greatest human quality under Platonic thought but this understanding is controversial because of the prerequisites identified
by these philosophers that must be met to complete the process as well as because of the differences in opinion of what constitutes correct knowledge.
As is elucidated in the dialogue "Meno", Plato perceives no essential differences between that that constitutes knowledge and that that constitutes correct opinion. The key word here,
however, is "correct". Plato recognizes that opinion can be transitory in nature, that it can change over time but "correct" opinion, like knowledge itself, is secure. Indeed, according
to Plato correct opinion is a guide to knowledge. To be correct, opinions therefore must be based in fact and reason. When appropriately rationalized and based in fact,
correct opinions actually become knowledge. Plato elucidates on the relative value of opinion, correct opinion, and knowledge in several of his
dialogues. In the "Theaetetus", for example, clarifies that knowledge and true belief are essentially synonymous as long as that true belief is tethered to an "account". This is
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