The method of hypotheses in Plato's Meno

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In the Meno, the dialectician is the one who is able to discern between true and false opinions. Following this reasoning, it could be argued that the dialectician is the only one capable of teaching virtue (political virtue). However, the dialogue does not allow us to make this assertion, as it concludes by stating that virtue is not knowledge (89c-100c), and therefore, cannot be taught (98d). As Socrates emphasizes, to know whether virtue is knowledge, one must first investigate "what is virtue?" (100b), which does not occur in this aporetic work. Dialectics emerges in the dialogue as the art of discourse, to mark its opposition to eristic, which is characterized by refutation. The difference between the two arts is that dialectics assumes a more positive, methodological perspective of knowledge construction, in contrast to sophistic antilogic. Although the Forms are not yet present, at least explicitly, in the discussion, the dialogue introduces the method of hypothesis, which will enable the philosopher, more than the sophist, to achieve knowledge of the foundations (98a). 

KEYWORDS: Plato, Meno, dialectic, method, hypothesis.