Meno and the Slave

Abstract This paper argues that the slave demonstration in Plato's Meno contains a carefully-wrought analogy of Meno's dialectic which can guide our understanding of the dialogue. This analogy exposes and diagnoses Meno's failings as a student who is unwilling to engage in the learning process but simply wants to be spoon-fed information. This, in turn, reveals the way Plato wants us to interact with his text: insofar as the author makes his point implicitly and allusively, we are aptly required to puzzle our way through the text to unravel the meaning. We must actively engage with the text. The Meno, thus, exemplifies its own didactic message. In this way, I hope to offer a meaningful interpretation of a significant passage in Plato as well as provide a case study of how he can marshal the literary resources at his disposal towards his philosophical ends.