To what extent was Socrates a moral intellectualist? Revisiting Plato's Protagoras

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Socrates' ethical position is commonly classified as moral intellectualism. In this paper I argue against such a classification because in my view it is too narrow. First, I briefly recall traditional and less orthodox readings of Socrates' view. Then I analyse the passages of the Protagoras relevant to Socrates' position. Next, I focus on the multifariousness of the words know and knowledge and on a range of concepts of knowledge. Finally, I suggest that a more comprehensive reading of Socrates' position is accurate. I conclude by reformulating Socrates' position and suggesting a new way to describe it.