Plato's Interlocutors

Plato introduces many of the interlocutors by revealing their positions in society (usually highly regarded and experts of their field) and other information to explain why Socrates decides to engage in an elenchus with them. His purpose is almost always to examine the views of the interlocutor without having to expose his doctrine. In every story, the interlocutor is a person of high power, wealthy, or considered an intellectual (sophist or orator). For instance in Laches, Nicias and Laches are well-known generals who are experts in war. Socrates does not choose to verbally battle those in low position because his objective is to challenge those who have the reputation for wisdom. He knows that these people will be committed to defending their

Socrates accomplishes this through controlling the interlocutor through leading them to agree on a series of premises to demonstrate the contradiction within the interlocutors’ responses. He will almost always ask his interlocutor to define a term or virtue in question. This is followed by delving deeper into the logical consistency of the discussion. The interlocutor contributes to the flow and outcome by allowing Socrates to lead the conversation and use his method of investigation. In Laches, Lysimachus and Melesias wish to know who should educate their children and in what subject. Socrates quickly shifts the conversation from choosing whom to teach the children to considering the qualifications of Laches and Nicias. He requests Nicias and Laches to define courage and then finds flaws in their definition through a series of premises that lead to a contradiction in their statements. For instance, Nicias believes that courage is “knowledge of the grounds of fear and hope” and with that logic would agree that “a lion and a stag, a bull and a monkey are all equally courageous by nature” (Laches 196d-e). Nicias replies that, in reality, this is not the case, showing that Socrates has found an error in Nicias’ definition. By being the questioner, Socrates does not have to preach about his own doctrine but the focus is on refuting the other person. Socrates places the interlocutors in a position of defense as they have to protect their arguments against Socrates’ questioning. The interlocutors are rarely given an opportunity to ask Socrates questions or request an answer to the ones he