Several of Socrates’ professions of ignorance as well as several of his displays of knowledge have be examined. There seems to almost be a sense of irony to the man, he constantly states that he does not possess any expertise when it comes to morals; however, throughout his dialogues Socrates seems to display some amount of virtuous knowledge. Socratic ignorance is practically paradoxical since it is the man’s recognition of his lack of knowledge that is the source of his wisdom. Whatever the case, Socrates’ claims to ignorance have led to countless debates as to whether Socrates is truly ignorant of moral truths or if he indeed has a copious about of virtuous knowledge. Debates concerning Socratic ignorance do not end at whether or not
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Human wisdom that seems to be sourced in his recognition that he lacks knowledge. With his declarations of ignorance, Socrates consistently makes that recognition known. After careful examining Plato’s Socratic dialogues, the questions that were posed at the beginning of this paper, was Socrates truly ignorant or was he just denying his brilliance and did he perhaps have a moment of where even he realized he might have been on to something, can now be answered. As far as whether or not Socrates was truly ignorant or not, it was settled upon that he was sincere. Although, it was also clarified that Socrates was not professing universal ignorance, however, simply recognizing his limits. Moving on to whether he was denying his brilliance or not, it was found that Socrates was not just suppressing knowledge in an effort to trick the individuals he spoke to, so in that way Socrates was not denying or hiding his own brilliance. In fact, an argument can be made that he expressed his brilliance through his recognition of his limitation and his endless pursuit of wisdom. Lastly, as for whether or not Socrates had epiphany where he acknowledge his own knowledge, it seems that he, in the least, felt that he was fulfilling his purpose. In the closing words of the Apology, Socrates asserts that the city of Athens will be worse off without him and makes his last request that his children be treated the same way that he treated others when they become old enough. (Apology, 41e-42a) However, in no way did he claim to have any superior knowledge. Even in his dying moments, Socrates did not refute his proclaim
Human wisdom that seems to be sourced in his recognition that he lacks knowledge. With his declarations of ignorance, Socrates consistently makes that recognition known. After careful examining Plato’s Socratic dialogues, the questions that were posed at the beginning of this paper, was Socrates truly ignorant or was he just denying his brilliance and did he perhaps have a moment of where even he realized he might have been on to something, can now be answered. As far as whether or not Socrates was truly ignorant or not, it was settled upon that he was sincere. Although, it was also clarified that Socrates was not professing universal ignorance, however, simply recognizing his limits. Moving on to whether he was denying his brilliance or not, it was found that Socrates was not just suppressing knowledge in an effort to trick the individuals he spoke to, so in that way Socrates was not denying or hiding his own brilliance. In fact, an argument can be made that he expressed his brilliance through his recognition of his limitation and his endless pursuit of wisdom. Lastly, as for whether or not Socrates had epiphany where he acknowledge his own knowledge, it seems that he, in the least, felt that he was fulfilling his purpose. In the closing words of the Apology, Socrates asserts that the city of Athens will be worse off without him and makes his last request that his children be treated the same way that he treated others when they become old enough. (Apology, 41e-42a) However, in no way did he claim to have any superior knowledge. Even in his dying moments, Socrates did not refute his proclaim