Meno

Plato, 427？ BCE-347？ BCEProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

4.3

Word count: 100K words
Chapters: 10

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Meno by PlatoAuthor: Plato, 427? BCE-347? BCE,Language: English, Class: PA: Language and Literatures: Classical Languages and Literature, Release Date: Feb 1, 1999

Editor's review

*Meno* is a short work by Plato written in dialogue form, centering on the discussion of whether virtue can be taught. It contains the famous doctrine of recollection and the argument that learning is recollection, as well as a discussion of the difference between knowledge and correct opinion. In the text, Socrates and Meno's questions and answers advance layer by layer, presenting both philosophical argument and the use of the dialogue method. This book is a public-domain English translation e-book from Project Gutenberg; it is not long and suitable as an introductory text for entering Platonic philosophy. When reading, there is no need to rush to accept conclusions; it is more worthwhile to notice how the questioning unfolds and how the argument turns. For philosophy specialists, it is important material for studying Platonic epistemology; for general readers, it offers a chance to think along with a classical dialogue.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who want an introduction to Platonic philosophy through a short dialogue
Philosophy learners interested in epistemology and the question of virtue
Liberal arts students who need English philosophical reading material
Readers who enjoy question-and-answer exposition and are willing to think along with the argument

Not a good fit for

Readers who want light stories or leisure reading
Readers with no philosophical reading experience who are unwilling to read slowly
Readers expecting systematic textbook-style exposition rather than the original dialogue

Reading tips

Read through once first to grasp the thread of the dialogue, then return to close-read the key argument passages.
While reading, jot down Socrates' questions and the other party's answers to clarify the direction of the argument.
Read alongside other short Platonic dialogues to compare similarities and differences in method.
Do not get stuck on difficulties; reading to the end first and then reviewing often works better.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

What main issues does this book discuss?

It mainly centers on whether virtue can be taught, and also touches on what virtue is and how knowledge differs from correct opinion. The dialogue advances gradually through questions and answers between Socrates and Meno, and it is an important text for discussions related to Platonic epistemology.

Can I read it without a philosophy background?

Yes, but it requires slowing down. The book is in dialogue form and not long, but the argument has turns; it is advisable to read through first to grasp the general idea, then close-read key passages, without forcing complete understanding in one go.

What language is this edition in?

This is an English translation e-book released by Project Gutenberg, a public-domain resource available for free. Readers can use it as English philosophical reading material.

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About the author

Plato, 427？ BCE-347？ BCE Author

Plato (c. 427–347 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher. Reliable details of his life are limited in public sources, and his thought and writings are generally known through later accounts. The library holds 65 of his works, including the multi-volume Republic (Πολιτεία), the Symposium, and the Phaedo. These works are mostly dialogues with Socrates as the central figure, unfolding through question and answer around justice, the governance of the city, love, the soul, and knowledge, combining philosophical inquiry with dramatic literary form. The Republic, which discusses the ideal city and justice, is especially influential. Plato's style is marked by analogy, argument, and open-ended conclusions, and he has had a lasting influence on later Western philosophy and political thought.