more from Socrates

Single Idea 4323

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / d. Teaching virtue]

Full Idea

Socrates worries about the unity and teachability of virtue because he is torn between virtue as intellectual (unified and teachable) and virtue as natural (plural and unteachable).

Gist of Idea

Socrates is torn between intellectual virtue, which is united and teachable, and natural virtue, which isn't

Source

comment on Socrates (reports of career [c.420 BCE]) by PG - Db (ideas)


A Reaction

Admittedly virtue could be natural but still unified and teachable, but Socrates clearly had a dilemma, and this seems to make sense of it.