Recollection in Platos Phaedo and Meno Essay - 602 Words

Recollection in Platos Phaedo and Meno As the earliest philosopher from whom we have written texts, Plato is often misrepresented as merely reproducing Socratic rhetoric. In Meno, one of the first Platonic dialogues, Plato offers his own unique philosophical theory, infused with his mentors brilliant sophistry. Amidst discussing whether or not virtue can be taught, Meno poses a difficult paradox: How can one be virtuous, or seek virtue, when one cannot know what it is? How will you aim to search for something you do not know at all? (Plato, Meno, 80d). From this question, Plato purposes a solution, that knowledge must be recollected from the soul. When the soul enters the world of space and time, Plato suggests, it carries some†¦show more content†¦Near the end of Meno, Socrates observes: For true opinions, so long as they stick around, are a fine thing and do all sorts of good. But they are not willing to stick around for long. Rather, they escape from ones mind, so that they are not worth much until one ties them down by figuring out the cause. (97e-98e) Thus true opinion, on the other hand, is of things circumstantial and conditional, and remains only temporarily in the souls memory. Plato also uses the example of a journey to Larissa to illustrate this difference; for even if one knows the route, in another lifetime the route may change, and thus is temporary. The route to Larissa, therefore, would be an object of true opinion but not of knowledge, and could not be recollected by another in future lifetimes. Although these examples of differentiating knowledge and opinion strengthen Platos theory of recollection, the theory itself is not substantiated enough to prove the souls immortality. Other statements in both books prove to be hypocritical. If all humans possess innate knowledge through recollection, this would refute Socrates frequent statement that he does not have any knowledge. Other explanations are also lacking: if we are to believe this theory of recollected knowledge, then how did the soul initially gain any knowledge? If opinion isShow MoreRelatedRationalism732 Words   |  3 PagesRationalism In Plato’s Meno it begins with a debate between a fictional Socrates and Meno about whether virtue can be taught or if it is acquired in another way. Socrates begins to prove his point when he asks the slaves about the geometry question. When the slave answers the question, Socrates suggests to Meno that they inquire this together. Meno argues with his â€Å"Meno’s Paradox† that, â€Å"one logically cannot inquire productivity into what one does not already know† (Meno 58). Then Socrates continuesRead MorePlato, Locke, And The Question Of Innate Ideas1829 Words   |  7 Pagesopinions on the matter of innate ideas. Plato argues that the recognition of truth in reality is derived from the recollection of truth in the soul. A necessary part of Platos argument is that recollection of Truth depends upon the existence of an immortal soul. Locke, on the other hand, rejects Platos argument by stating that the recognition of truth is not dependent on recollectio n but is rather self-evident. In other words, Locke argues that one does not need to understand truth to knowRead MoreSummary : The Immortality Of The Soul 1116 Words   |  5 Pages 1. In the Phaedo, Socrates offers several proofs of the immortality of the soul. One of them is the so-called Recollection argument. In your paper, explain and analyze the argument with a careful attention to the text. Precisely identify why Socrates thinks that the argument shows that the soul is immortal. Evaluate whether the argument shows what Socrates thinks it shows as well as whether the argument has any problems. Our souls existed before we were born. 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He devoted all his time with young citizens discussing philosophy and questioning their confidence inRead MoreSummary : Immortality Of The Soul 1542 Words   |  7 PagesSierra Bauer Philosophy 110 Final Paper Immortality of the Soul Phaedo, also known to ancient readers as On the Soul, is one of greatest dialogues of Plato’s period. Phaedo centers itself around the death of Socrates. Throug Plato, Socrates lived on generations after his time. Phaedo begins with Socrates addressing his death and stating a true philosopher should look forward to death. He asserts that the soul is immortal and the philosopher spends his life training and detaching itself from the needsRead MoreThe Immortality of the Soul Essay1427 Words   |  6 Pagesthere are various works and dialogues about this topic it is found to be best explained in The Phaedo. It is fair to say that the mind may wonder when one dies what exactly happens to the beloved soul, the giver of life often thought of as the very essence of life does it live on beyond the body, or does it die with it? Does the soul have knowledge of the past if it really does live on? In Plato’s The Phaedo, Plato recounts Socrates final days before he is put to death. Socrates has been imprisonedRead MoreTotal Recall : Plato s Recollection2366 Words   |  10 PagesTotal Recall: †¦Plato’s Recollection†¦ â€Å"God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see† (New International Version 1 Timothy 6:15-16). Immortality has been a major subject of philosophical contemplation throughout the history of written language, but even with its popularity it has been held for the most part as impossible. Likewise, most cultures in the past and present acknowledgeRead MorePhilosophy1687 Words   |  7 Pagesinterlocutors answer is false. Throughout this Socrates does not provide his own answer to the definition of pious and decides Euthyphro first two definitions were incorrect. In Meno Socrates attempts to find the definition of virtue and whether or not it can be taught. Ultimately the two come to a consensus on the topic. Meno himself rather realizes he cannot even define what virtue is. One of the effects of Socratic Method from the dialogue is the person will want to develop better thinking or get