Meno

by Plato

Originally published as «Μένων» (Ancient Greek)

Meno is a Socratic dialogue written by Plato around 385 BC, but set at an earlier date around 402 BC. Meno begins the dialogue by asking Socrates whether virtue can be taught, acquired by practice, or comes by nature. In order to determine whether virtue is teachable or not, Socrates tells Meno that they first need to determine what virtue is. When the characters speak of virtue, or aretē, they refer to virtue in general, rather than particular virtues, such as justice or temperance.