Menon greek

Dialogue by Plato

This article is about Plato's dialogue. For the Thessalian general and character from Plato's dialogue, see Meno (general). For other uses, see Meno (disambiguation).

Meno (; Ancient Greek: Μένων, Ménōn) is a Socratic dialogue written by Plato around BC., but set at an earlier date around BC.^[1]Meno begins the dialogue by asking Socrates whether virtue (in Ancient Greek: ἀρετή, aretē) can be taught, acquired by practice, or comes by nature.^[2] In order to determine whether virtue is teachable or not, Socrates tells Meno that they first need to determine what virtue is.^[3] When the characters speak of virtue, or aretē, they refer to virtue in general, rather than particular virtues, such as justice or temperance.

The first part of the work showcases Socratic dialectical style; Meno, unable to adequately define virtue, is reduced to confusion or aporia.^[4] Socrates suggests that they seek an adequate definit