What does Protagoras claim to teach?
As Socrates re- phrases it, Protagoras claims to be able to teach political science so that his students will become good citizens. According to Socrates, this indicates that virtue is neither teachable nor learnable.
Why does Protagoras think that excellence can be taught?
To give an example, Protagoras explains that punishment may be administered to citizens who commit injustice, and that such punishment deters these citizens from committing any further acts of injustice. Excellence in justice, which is an example of citizenship, is thus something which can be taught.
What is Protagoras main evidence for the claim that virtue is in fact teachable?
The only actual evidence he provides that virtue is indeed teachable is the cultural difference between Greeks and others. Even the wickedest Greek is more virtuous than those who “lack education, and law courts and laws” (327d); this difference, Protagoras asserts, suggests that Greeks have been taught to be virtuous.
Can virtue be taught Plato?
Plato presents Socrates’ views on the question whether virtue is knowledge and whether it can be taught in several dialogues, most notably in Meno. In this dialogue, Socrates makes many different arguments on the subject of virtue. Plato’s answer is that virtue cannot be taught.
Does Protagoras believe virtue can be taught?
Virtue is indeed teachable, argues Protagoras, because political systems are founded on the basis that all citizens can possess virtue. Similarly, systems of criminal justice are based on the notion that people can be reformed—that is, taught how to be virtuous.
Who disagreed with Protagoras?
Protagoras’ claims were countered by Plato (l. 428/427-348/347 BCE) who maintained that there had to be an ultimate Truth in order to inform those definitions and values which people held to be true.
What was Protagoras philosophy?
Protagoras is known primarily for three claims (1) that man is the measure of all things (which is often interpreted as a sort of radical relativism) (2) that he could make the “worse (or weaker) argument appear the better (or stronger)” and (3) that one could not tell if the gods existed or not.
What is the difference between Protagoras and Socrates?
Protagoras represented sophists, while Socrates represented philosophers. A sophist is a teacher of virtue, they twist what is being said to make it positive. They make others into skillful speakers. Philosophers are those who want to know what is true and want to be wise.
What did Protagoras say?
Protagoras of Abdera (l.c. 485-415 BCE) is most famous for his claim that “Of all things the measure is Man, of the things that are, that they are, and of the things that are not, that they are not” (DK 80B1) usually rendered simply as “Man is the Measure of All Things”.
Does Aristotle think virtue can be taught?
Moral Education Aristotle is quite clear that he does not think virtue can be taught in a classroom or by means of argument. According to Aristotle, virtue is something learned through constant practice that begins at a young age.
How does Socrates argue that virtue can be taught?
Socrates proposes the following hypothesis: if virtue is a kind of knowledge, then it can be taught (and if it is not, it cannot). Meno, remembering the two hypotheses proposed by Socrates, happily concludes that, since virtue is knowledge, people must learn it by being taught.
Is it possible to teach virtue How?
Moral virtue is learned by repetition; intellec- tual virtue can be taught and is the appropriate concern of the schools. Moral virtue is acquired, if it is acquired at all, at a very early age. virtue a matter of habit and conditioning.