Is virtue known or learned? From Socrates (vegetarian) in “Meno” by Plato (vegetarian), Part 2 of 2

Let us continue with selections from “Meno” by Plato (vegetarian), translated by Benjamin Jowett. Here, Socrates discusses with young Meno whether virtue is learned or acquired before we are born.

Discussion on Virtue

“[…] Socrates further analyzes: ‘If then virtue is a quality of the soul, and is admitted to be profitable, it must be wisdom or prudence, since none of the things of the soul are either profitable or hurtful in themselves, but they are all made profitable or hurtful by the addition of wisdom or of folly; and therefore if virtue is profitable, virtue must be a sort of wisdom or prudence?’ Meno confirms: ‘I quite agree.’ Socrates continues: ‘And the other goods, such as wealth and the like, of which we were just now saying that they are sometimes good and sometimes evil, do not they also become profitable or hurtful, accordingly as the soul guides and uses them rightly or wrongly; just as the things of the soul herself are benefited when under the guidance of wisdom and harmed by folly?’ Meno affirms: ‘True.’ Socrates questions: ‘And the wise soul guides them rightly, and the foolish soul wrongly.’ Meno replies: ‘Yes.’ Socrates enquires: ‘And is not this universally true of human nature? All other things hang upon the soul, and the things of the soul herself hang upon wisdom, if they are to be good; and so wisdom is inferred to be that which profits—and virtue, as we say, is profitable?’ Meno affirms: ‘Certainly.’ Socrates continues: ‘And thus we arrive at the conclusion that virtue is either wholly or partly wisdom?’ Meno agrees: ‘I think that what you are saying, Socrates, is very true.’ Socrates ponders further: ‘But if this is true, then the good are not by nature good?’ […]”