According to Princeton University, virtue is the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong. Virtue can be defined as many things. A virtue is a standard by which we judge and standardize our behaviors and characters based on moral excellence. Our virtues or standards are what make each of us different, because we all have different beliefs of what is good and bad.
Virtue is the key to a meaningful and happy life. According to ancient philosophers, Socrates and Aristotle, developing virtue is vital in order to lead a successful, fulfilling life. Although both men differ in interpretations of a “good life,” they both agree that the supreme life is one of virtuous meaning.
Can virtue be taught? The answer to the question is anything but simple. The question is examined in detail throughout Plato’s dialogue called Meno. According to Plato, men cannot be taught anything but knowledge. Therefore, virtue must be a kind of knowledge in order to be taught. This leads to a new question. Is virtue knowledge?