Laches

Definition of courage according to Laches

Socrates is considered as the father of the western moral philosophy Although there were other scholars before Socrates his contribution of modern philosophy has been great . He did a lot than other thinkers before him and is said to have set the agenda method that has been used by other scholars before him . He has set out agenda for ethical thinking for the next millennia 's to come . Although there have been many other scholars who have disagreed with Socrates many have admired his work

One

of his precious works has been Laches . This is a dialogue where Socrates ask his interlocutors to give a definition and expound some moral qualities and in this context courage . Socrates makes an assumption that the one who really knows what is courage is the one who gives a definition which identifies some of the most common essence that is shared by some instances of courage . These are the features which make courageous things courage . According to Socrates the one who gives a definition that does not the essences of courage does not really know the real meaning of courage . Then Socrates engages each interlocutor a series of questions to reveal the beliefs of that person in to know if they are consistent with his definition . According to judgment by Socrates , if the interlocutor continuous inconsistent positions with his definition then he is yet to reach the level of their deep beliefs

Courage is one of the very import virtues and its presence is observed by all people including children . Its presence is sometimes blamed and often excused with disdain and those who are considered cowards suffer a great deal of reputation . But is seen in many instances , one person 's courage is person 's cowardice . Courage responds to dangers and sometimes calls for sacrifice and in particular instance in battles . As it goes in battles , being courage can get you killed and hence one needs to be wise in practicing courage . But courage and prudence are two different things all together

In this particular discussion , Socrates engages two interlocutors Laches and Nicias who were both famous generals at that particular time Nicias was responsible for defeat of Athenian defeat when they went to conquer Sicily . It is said that Nicias made poor military judgment that led to their defeat . Therefore in this argument Nicias cannot defend the virtue of courage as he defends on this dialogue

Laches ' definition of courage

Laches gave a variety of definitions on courage as per the dialogue that they had with Socrates . In all these definition Laches tried to exemplify his own beliefs on the concept of courage or on the way that he through courage could be defined

In his first definition Laches defines courage as standing firm in a battle . Like Aristotle , Laches believe that courage could only be found in the battle field . He defines courageous man as the man who remains in the ranks and does not...