Plato’s Laches describes different ways to approach courage through his characters Laches, Nicias, and Socrates. Plato uses a dialog between characters to define courage in regard to teaching children the art of swards fighting. In dialog Socrates, as the teacher, questions two generals Laches and Nicias in their belief in courage. Both Laches and Nicias have different views on what it means to have courage, however Socrates is able to question both definitions in order for each argument to be better satisfied.
The test begins with thoughts from Laches, who describes courage as one’s ability to stand at their post and fight. Laches states, “If a man is willing to remain at his post and to defend himself against the enemy without running away, then you may rest assured that he …show more content…
Nicias states, “If a man is really courageous, it is clear that he is wise (Plato 194D).” Laches does not think that this is the case, and asks Nicias to further explain what he means by his words. Nicias responds, “What I say, Laches, is that it is the knowledge of the fearful and the hopeful in war and in every other situations (Plato 195A).” Nicias believes that wisdom and knowledge are part of what makes someone courageous. While Laches does not agree and is confused by Nicias’ claims, Socrates further questions Nicias as to what he means when he describes his version of courage. Socrates comes to the conclusion, “According to your view, that courage is the knowledge not just of the fearful and the hopeful, but in your own opinion, it would be the knowledge of practically all goods and evils put together (Plato 199D).” Socrates then points out that Nicias could be describing virtue instead of courage, and while virtue is part of courage, Nicias’ definition of courage is also just a part what Socrates and Laches think of as