苏格拉底论美德的统一性与智者教育的本质——柏拉图《普罗泰戈拉》328e-334c解析

Socrates’Viewpoints on the Unity of Virtue and the Nature of Sophist’s Education——An exploration of Protagoras 328e-334c by Plato

柏拉图《普罗泰戈拉》的主题是美德是否可教,但是在对话中,苏格拉底似乎更加关心美德的统一性问题,因为这涉及一个更根本的问题,即美德是什么的问题。只有搞清美德是什么,才能回答美德是否可教,而恰恰在这个问题理解上的分歧,使得哲学与智者教育真正区别开来。在《普罗泰戈拉》中,普罗泰戈拉主张美德可教,并且作为美德部分的各种具体美德也各不相同。通过对正义、虔诚、节制、智慧四种美德的考查,苏格拉底证明各种具体美德在本质上是统一的,智者普罗泰戈拉所公开宣称的美德可教不过是为了迎合民主政治的需要、博取智慧的名声,其性质并非勇敢而是不节制、不正义。

The theme of Protagoras by Plato is about whether virtue can be taught.However,Socrates seems to care more about the unity of virtue in the dialogue.Protagoras proposes that virtue can be taught and righteousness,sincerity,abstinence and intelligence are different from each other.Socrates proves that these specific virtues are united in nature and Protagoras’viewpoint is to cater to the need of domocratic politics and gain a reputation of wisdom.Its nature is non-abstinece and non-righteousness rather than bravery.