The Socratic doctrine of recollection is an attempt to explain how dialectic (the Socratic method of doing philosophy) is possible—to explain how the question “what is virtue?” may be asked and answered.

The Socratic doctrine of recollection is an attempt to explain how dialectic (the Socratic method of doing philosophy) is possible—to explain how the question “what is virtue?” may be asked and answered.




In the dialogue, Meno’s inability to answer Socrates’ question, “what is virtue?” perplexes Meno to a point where he no longer believes that this question can be answered. Meno attempted to give four definitions of virtue, all of which were examined by Socrates and proven incorrect. Meno then challenges the method by which Socrates is using to recall the definition of virtue.

Men. And how will you inquire into a thing, Socrates, when you are wholly ignorant of what it is? What sort of thing among those you don’t know will you set u as the object of your inquiry? Even if you happen to bump right into it, how will you know that it is the thing you did not know? (p. 163)


Meno thinks that the definition of virtue cannot be asked or answered us...