Part IA (178a–181d)
1 What are Lysimachus and Melesias concerned with? Why are they concerned and why do they
appeal to Laches and Nicias?
2 How is Socrates introduced into the proceedings? In what sense is Socrates an authority or an
expert? Why does he allow Nicias and Laches to go before him?
Part IB (181e–184d)
3 What argument does Nicias make with regard to fighting in armor? What, if anything, does his
argument reveal about a) his character and b) his philosophical dispositions (or lack thereof)?
4 What argument does Laches make with regard to fighting in armor? What, if anything, does
his argument reveal about a) his character and b) his philosophical dispositions (or lack
thereof)?
Part IC (184d–190e)
5 Unable to reach a common understanding, Lysimachus requests that Socrates settle the matter.
How does he want Socrates to do this and why does Socrates refuse to settle things in this way?
What effect does this have on the conversation going forward?
6 What is Socrates’understanding of knowledge? What is his understanding of the relationship
between means (how one proceeds) and ends (knowledge)? Where do Nicias and Laches stand
with regard to the method of Socrates?
Part IIA (190e–199e)
7 What is Laches’first definition of courage and what is wrong with it? How does Socrates
move Laches to his second definition of courage? What is his second definition and what
becomes of it?
8 Nicias finally enters the conversation. After taking a jab at Laches, Nicias offers a definition
of courage. What is this definition of courage and does the definition satisfy what Socrates
asks of him?
Part IIB (190e–199e)
9 Unlike the definition of courage provided by Laches, that of Nicias gives knowledge a central
role. What type of knowledge does courage consist of according to Nicias? How do Laches and
Nicias differ with regard to knowledge? What is the position of Socrates on this topic?