Hypotetický důkaz v dialogu Menón
The Hypothetical Demonstration in the Meno

Summary/Abstract: The paper focuses on the second geometrical proof in Plato’s Meno (86e4–87b2). Its purpose is to present the modern interpretations of the passage and to explore their implications for the philosophical reading of the dialogue as a whole. Therefore, it focuses mainly on the logical structure of three groups of interpretations. The interpretations are based on (1) whether they understand the passage as an implication or rather an equivalence between the geometric criterion and the existence of the solution of the problem, and (2) whether they imply the geometer’s ability to check the criterion. The paper also discusses other logical possibilities and argues for Cook Wilson’s interpretation of the passage.

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