Question I: Plato’s Protagoras
What does Socrates mean in the Protagoras when he claims that the virtues are ‘one’? Outline two possible
interpretations of this thesis, and present a case for preferring one line of interpretation to the other. For
example, does your preferred reading find stronger support in the text? Or does your favoured reading
attribute a more philosophically defensible position than the alternative? Or do you think your preferred
reading can be defended on other grounds? Explain.
This assignment involves three tasks:
Task 1
First, outline the two interpretations of Socrates’ thesis you want to consider, labeling each one clearly. For
example, you can simply call them ‘Interpretation 1’ and ‘Interpretation 2.’ Explain how Socrates conceives
of the unity of the virtues on each interpretation. For example, does he regard justice, piety, etc. as
synonyms? Or does he take justice, piety, etc. to be ‘parts’ of some greater ‘whole’? If so, then how does
Socrates conceive of these parts? Or is there another way to flesh out Socrates’ thesis, in your view? Make
sure to discuss what you take to be the key differences between the two readings you’ve outlined in Task 1.
Also, make sure to limit your scope to two possible interpretations.
Task 2
Next, outline the standard you’ll consult to evaluate the two interpretations you discussed in Task 1. How
should we decide between these two interpretations, in your view? For example, do you think we should
prefer an interpretation on the ground that it is more consistent with Socrates’ other remarks in the
Protagoras? Or should we prefer a reading if it is more in line with some of Socrates’ remarks in the
Euthyphro, or elsewhere in the assigned course readings? Alternatively, do you think we should evaluate the
interpretations you outlined in Task 1 on philosophical grounds? That is to say, is it your view that – all else
being equal – we should attribute to Socrates the version of the thesis that is more philosophically attractive?
Or do you have another standard in mind? Whatever it is, make sure to explain your standard as clearly as
possible, so that it will be clear how you’re applying it in Task 3.
Task 3
Finally, your job in Task 3 is to apply the standard you outlined in Task 2. Your job here is to make it clear to
the reader (i) which of the two interpretations outlined in Task 1 you prefer; and (ii) why you think the
standard you outlined in Task 2 supports this verdict. Is Interpretation 1 inconsistent with Socrates’ remarks
in the Protagoras, for example? If so, how? Or does Interpretation 2 represent a more attractive position,
philosophically speaking? If so, on what grounds is it more philosophically attractive? Whatever your
verdict, make sure to defend it as fully as possible by appeal to the standard you outlined in Task 2.