“The claim that virtue is knowledge is a more general version of the claim that courage is knowledge which Nicias presents in the Laches (see readings 1.4 and 1.5 in book 2, chapter 1). Explain what Nicias means by the claim that courage is knowledge. Describe and discuss one or two possible objections to this claim.”

Nicias claims that courage requires knowledge and foresight. Without knowledge ( he suggests) courageous actions will not be courageous at all but rather reckless and maybe even foolhardy. Niciass claim that courage requires knowledge and foresight is in contrast to the traditional belief that was held in the ancient world which was that animals such as lions and boar posses courage. Nicias suggests that animals ( as well as small children) lack the ability to display courage because they lack understanding and foresight. In Niciass view courageous actions will be based on a particular understanding of what is right or wrong or good and evil.

One problem which can be found with Niciass claim that courage is knowledge of good and evil is that it is possible that a person may know the right thing to do in a certain situation but not act upon the knowledge that they have due to …(short extract)