In these two parts of ‘Meno’, Anytus is introduced, and Socrates and Meno moves on to discuss the question whether virtue is born with or taught to. As always, Meno seeks not true virtue, but power and wealth. Socrates replies Meno’s questions in a very intriguing manner:
Socrates: By this argument, virtue being profitable must be a sort of wisdom.
And as for his own views, Socrates replied:
Socrates: In men, all other things rely on the soul, while the things of the soul rely on wisdom.
I find The debate between Socrates and Meno specially interesting in these parts as they discuss the questions of perception: if one commits wrongs yet think they are virtuous, is that virtue? The unawareness of right and wrong deepens their discussion on seeking virtue, and also presents the question that cannot yet be answered even now: What is right, and what is wrong?
Reference:
Plato, and Sir Walter Rangeley Maitland Lamb. Laches. Protagoras. Meno. Euthydemus. 1962.
I agree with your observation, “As always, Meno seeks not true virtue, but power and wealth.” He does have this mindset in the beggining, as the passage progress, he makes improvemnets of learning about virtue, by asking questions and questioning Socrates answer.
“if one commits wrongs yet think they are virtuous, is that virtue?” It is based on different cultures, race, environment, status, history… etc to why that we have different perpectives of being virtuous. My critique is to provide more background to enhance your observation.