Penguin Classics: Protagoras and Meno - Plato

Plato’s Protagoras and Meno are two of his most influential dialogues, showcasing the intellectual depth of Socratic inquiry. In Protagoras, Socrates engages in a dynamic debate with the Sophist Protagoras over the nature of virtue—whether it is one or many, teachable or innate. The conversation spans ethics, education, and human excellence.

In Meno, Socrates tackles a similar question—“Can virtue be taught?”—and in doing so introduces one of the most famous philosophical paradoxes: how can we search for knowledge of something we do not yet know? This dialogue also features Plato’s theory of recollection and includes an early demonstration of deductive reasoning through geometry.

Together, these works provide a foundation for understanding Plato’s early philosophy and the enduring challenges of defining virtue and knowledge.

Main Themes of the Book

• Virtue and Its Nature: Is virtue one thing or many? Can it be taught, or is it innate?
• Socratic Method: Dialogue as a path to truth through questioning and dialectic.
• Philosophy vs. Sophistry: Contrasting views on education, truth, and rhetoric.
• Knowledge and Learning: The idea of recollection and the limits of human understanding.
• Ethics and Human Excellence: What it means to live a good life and pursue wisdom.

Why you should read this book

• Essential reading for anyone interested in philosophy, ethics, or ancient thought.
• Features foundational discussions on virtue and knowledge.
• Offers a compelling view of Socrates' intellectual method and moral stance.
• Ideal for students, teachers, and lifelong learners of classical literature.
• Builds a deeper understanding of the historical debate between Sophists and philosophers.

Plato’s Protagoras and Meno continue to challenge and enlighten readers with questions that remain relevant to this day. Through engaging dialogue and sharp reasoning, these texts explore the heart of what it means to know, to teach, and to live virtuously—making them essential works in the canon of Western philosophy.