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Manliness in Plato’s Laches

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2009

T. F. Morris
T. F. Morris*
Affiliation:
George Washington University
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Abstract

ABSTRACT: Careful analysis of the details of the text allows us to refine Socrates’ understanding of manliness. Laches submits without a fight to Socrates’ objections to his definition of manliness as prudent perseverance. He does not appreciate that Socrates objections merely require that he make his definition more precise. Nicias refuses to consider objections to his understanding of manliness as avoiding actions that entail risk. The two sets of objections show that manliness entails first calculating that a risk is worth taking and then subsequently not rejecting that calculation without due consideration.

RÉSUMÉ : Une analyse méticuleuse du texte nous permet de préciser le concept du courage selon Socrate. Lachès se soumet sans riposter aux objections de Socrates à sa définition du courage comme une persévérance prudente. Il n’apprécie pas que les objections de Socrate lui demandent de préciser sa définition. Nicias refuse de considérer les objections à sa compréhension du courage selon laquelle il s’agit d’éviter des actes nécessitant de prendre des risques. Les deux groupes d’objections montrent que le courage requiert une évaluation des risques et demande, par la suite, de ne pas rejeter cette évaluation sans reflexion.

Type
Articles
Information
Dialogue: Canadian Philosophical Review / Revue canadienne de philosophie , Volume 48 , Issue 3 , September 2009 , pp. 619 - 642
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Philosophical Association 2009

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