Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-13T01:00:54.940Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Methodology in Socrates’ Examination of the Slave

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 February 2012

Chad Wiener*
Affiliation:
Portland State University

Abstract

ABSTRACT: I argue that Socrates employs both elenchus and the method of hypothesis in the examination of the slave. I show that the elenchus is a necessary step of the inquiry. Being reduced to ignorance, Socrates tacitly uses the method of hypothesis to move the slave from ignorance to correct opinion. I tease this out from the questions Socrates asks. Although the method of hypothesis begins from a question distinct from elenchus, the solution to the problem leads the slave to answer the original question. The examination shows that the two methods can be employed in a sustained inquiry.

RÉSUMÉ: Je soutiens que Socrate emploie à la fois l’elenchos et la méthode de l’hypothèse lors de son examen de l’esclave et montre que l’elenchos est une étape nécessaire de l’enquête. Après l’avoir réduit à l’ignorance, Socrate utilise tacitement la méthode de l’hypothèse pour faire passer l’esclave de l’ignorance à l’opinion correcte. Je tire cette explication des questions posées par Socrate. Bien que la méthode de l’hypothèse commence à partir d’une question différente de celle de l’elenchos, la solution au problème amène l’esclave à répondre à la question de départ. L’examen montre que les deux méthodes peuvent être employées lors d’une enquête soutenue.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Philosophical Association 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Allen, R. E. 1984 Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Gorgias, Menexenus: The Dialogues of Plato Vol. I. New Haven: Yale University Press.Google Scholar
Barnes, Jonathan 1993 Aristotle: Posterior Analytics. Oxford: Clarendon Press.Google Scholar
Bedu-Addo, J. T. 1984Recollection and the Argument ‘From a Hypothesis’ in Plato’s Meno.” Journal of Hellenic Studies 104: 1–14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Benson, Hugh 1990Meno, the Slave Boy, and the Elenchos.” Phronesis 35: 128–58.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Benson, Hugh 2000 Socratic Wisdom. Oxford: Oxford University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Benson, Hugh 2003The Method of Hypothesis in the Meno.” Boston Area Colloquium in Ancient Philosophy 18: 95–126.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bluck, R. S., 1961 Plato’s Meno. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Brown, Malcolm 1967Plato Disapproves of the Slave-Boy’s Answer.” Review of Metaphysics 21: 57–93.Google Scholar
Fine, Gail 1992 “Inquiry in the Meno” in Cambridge Companion to Plato. Ed. Kraut, R.. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press: 200–26.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Geach, P. T. 1966Plato’s Euthyphro: An Analysis and Commentary.” Monist 50: 369–82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Irwin, Terence 1974Recollection and Plato’s Moral Theory.” Review of Metaphysics 27: 752–72.Google Scholar
1977 Plato’s Moral Theory. Oxford: Clarendon Press.Google Scholar
Klein, Jacob 1989 A Commentary on Plato’s Meno. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Lloyd, G. E. R. 1992The Meno and the Mysteries of Mathematics.” Phronesis 37: 166–83.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nehamas, Alexander 1985Meno’s Paradox and Socrates as Teacher.” Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy 3: 1–30.Google Scholar
Scott, Dominic 2006 Plato’s Meno. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sharples, R. W. 1984 Plato: Meno. Chicago: Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers.Google Scholar
Vlastos, Gregory 1983The Socratic Elenchus.” Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy 1: 27–58.Google Scholar
Vlastos, Gregory 1991 Socrates, Ironist and Moral Philosopher. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Weiss, Roslyn 2001 Virtue in the Cave. Oxford: Oxford University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar