Laches and Nicias for guidance on whether or not their boys (named after famous grandfathers) should be educated to battle in armour. Following their arguments, Nicias for and Laches against, they seek advice from Socrates. Socrates inquires as to what the training's initial goal is to implant in the pupils. Socrates debates with Laches and Nicias about what exactly courage is once they've determined that the goal is to instil virtue, specifically courage. The three men (Laches, Nicias, and Socrates) then spend the most of the dialogue arguing various meanings of courage.



Nicias argues that young men should be taught how to battle in armour. He claims that it improves physical fitness, prepares a man for military duty, provides an advantage over untrained opponents, aids in military strategy comprehension, makes one braver, and gives one a martial appearance. Laches believes that fighting in armour is unnecessary because the Spartans don't do it; the teachers Laches has seen aren't brave soldiers, so they haven't benefited from this expertise; and it induces cowards to take foolish and damaging military risks. Socrates is asked by Melesias and Lysimachus to judge which viewpoint is correct.