... : "you know that a square figure is like this" (82b) "Do you agree?" (82e) " is it not?" (83c). In reality the language and persuasion Socrates uses teaches the attendant about the geometry of which attendant had no prior knowledge, even in his soul. It was through Socrates" lesson that he came to the appropriate reasoning. He gave answers such as: "yes" (85b ... of Socrates. Meno would often respond with "Definitely" (76c), "it does" (76e), and "certainly" (97b). This is the same sort of answers the attendant employs to answer Socrates" questions about geometry. This is significant beca...

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... answers. Socrates answers all Meno's questions. By doing so, Meno gets perplex and forces us to think. To defend the theory of recollection Socrates uses many examples such as the geometry problem with the slave boy. With each wrong answer from the boy, Socrates proceeds to lead Meno to the correct conclusion. At the end of the problem, the slave boy ... proves that the exercise can be recalled. He has a general sense of equality and has acquired his true opinions through recollection. Meno is finally convinced of Socrates theory. Following the geometry exercise, Socrates discusses the ...

• Word Count: 291
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... knowledge (71). Thus, the immortal soul is able to recollect all things before, including virtue. To support his argument, Socrates asks one of Meno's slaves who had never been taught geometry. He gives a series of geometrical problems and asks the slave to work them out and answer the questions. The slave arrives at the correct answer after "recollecting", meaning he must ... remains unclear, because the main question "what is virtue?" has no definite answer. Socrates arrives at the conclusion that knowledge is recollection by asking the slave, who was never taught geometry, numerous q...

• Word Count: 854
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... . Right in line with his theory of Forms Plato uses mathematics as his example in the dialogue with the boy, trying to demonstrate that he has some concept of the geometry of a square. Plato had hoped that this philosophical inquiry could yield similar results as what were later displayed in the Republic with his concept of justice by examining what was ... not knowing what justice is, or what beauty and goodness is. The same is true with the boy in Meno, he is not able to completely grasp these concepts of geometry because he is just imitating the Forms from knowledge in a previous life...

• Word Count: 499
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... guidance that they can come to actively know. Through questioning, knowledge is recovered from within. A good example of this is the part of Meno when Socrates questions a slave boy about a geometry problem. The boy seemed to know nothing about Socrates" problem. However, through a series of questions, the boy actually knew the answer without knowing he solved the problem. Although Socrates" beliefs ... ...

• Word Count: 709
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School