Meno Socrates Divided Line
Socrates introduces the concept of the divided line, which has four segments that refers to different levels of cognitive activities. It seems like that the divided levels works as a method of accessing one's intellect. According to Socrates, imagination is located at the very bottom of the line and belief is located right above imagination; these two segments represent the accessibility to the visible realm. Moreover, understanding is placed at the top of the line and thought is located right below understanding; and these two levels represent the accessibility to the intelligible. Socrates indicates that people in the imagination level barely has any knowledge. He also indicates that people who are located in the belief have beliefs but they barely have any knowledge of the things that they believe in. According to Socrates, people in the stage of thought starts to use their knowledge of reasoning. Lastly, people in the understanding level uses their knowledge to figure about the good. Therefore, in Republic, Socrates discuss about knowledge in regard to the hierarchy of cognitive faculties which describes the progress of knowledge in our souls.
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The first difference comes from Socrates' changed view about knowledge. In Meno, Socrates indicates that understanding the basic nature of a matter is good enough. For example, after asking many questions about the square to Meno's attendant, Socrates tells Meno that the attendant is now in a better position as he has at least realized that he does not know the matter accurately yet and would be glad to find out about it. On the other hand, in Republic, Socrates criticizes people for not being able to tell the sorts of knowledge that they believe to be the good. It seems like Socrates' expectation of knowledge has increased in Republic from what he expected in
The first difference comes from Socrates' changed view about knowledge. In Meno, Socrates indicates that understanding the basic nature of a matter is good enough. For example, after asking many questions about the square to Meno's attendant, Socrates tells Meno that the attendant is now in a better position as he has at least realized that he does not know the matter accurately yet and would be glad to find out about it. On the other hand, in Republic, Socrates criticizes people for not being able to tell the sorts of knowledge that they believe to be the good. It seems like Socrates' expectation of knowledge has increased in Republic from what he expected in