Method of Reasoning in Laches
‘Laches’ is one of the dialogues written by Plato, it describes Socrates questioning the Athenian generals, Laches and Nicias, on the matter of courage and the decision as to whether the young man should attend military education or training in order to obtain a certain kind of virtue (Benson,H 2000: 24). According to Benson, “ ‘Laches’ is an ideal dialogue to begin an examination of Socrates method of reasoning because of its dramatic date associated with Chaerephon’s trip to Delphi and also the view of Laches as a display of ‘paradigmatic show of method’”(2000: 24) . This essay will therefore be based on ‘Laches’, firstly I will explain the method of reasoning Socrates employed; secondly, the reason why Plato wrote in the form of a dialogue. The method of reasoning that Socrates employed is composed of several components that work together to give a flawless argument and result. ... For example, in ‘Laches’, Socrates asked Laches “What bravery is” (Plato Laches Extract 190), he initially did not have any opinion about it. Thus Laches was free to speak what he thought – Bravery was “not [to] run away” (Plato Laches Extract 190). ... It was an important process for Socratic method that the interlocutors must believe in the belief rather than just passively following what Socrates said. ... In ‘Laches’, Socrates said “Let us try to say what bravery is…” (Plato Laches Extract 190). ... During their discussion about Bravery as a part of goodness, Socrates asked Laches “Are we agreed, Laches?” (Plato Laches Extract 198). ... In the dialogue, Socrates began the argument by asking Laches “what bravery is… by means of various activities and disciplines”( Plato Laches Extract 190). ... For example, in Laches, it was ‘What is bravery? ... Thus, in return, Laches answered bravery as “not run away” (Plato Laches Extract 190) which only satisfied its basic requirement of the definition, though inadequate .