Socratic Ignorance or Socratic Brilliance “For I’m only too aware that I’ve no claim to being wise in anything either great or small.” (Apology, 21b) Socrates declares his ignorance in the Apology with that phrase. Here, Socrates is asserting that he has no vast knowledge of any subject and he even continues to be doubtful of those who call him wise. However, before diving into the complex subject that is Socratic ignorance, the background of this fabled man needs establishing. Socrates lived from 470 to 399 B.C., during his life Socrates spent his days contemplating the deep questions of life and teaching this method of contemplation to others. Though, as great as he was, Socrates never actually wrote anything, the only recorded works that
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For example, in the Euthyphro, Socrates uses knowledge of the gods that he possess to contradict claims that Euthyphro made about what is pious and impious. Socrates’ contradictions force his interlocutor to rethink his definitions. (Euthyphro, 7d-8a) In addition, Socrates’ use of his knowledge combined with Euthyphro rethought definition of pious opens the door for Socrates to give rise to the Euthyphro dilemma, a well-known philosophical inquiry concerning the source of pious things piety. (Euthyphro, 10d) Moving to examples from the Republic, in this circumstance, Socrates seems to display some amount of knowledge about what is just and unjust as well as what a happy life is. He utilizes that knowledge to make his interlocutors to come up with several different definitions of justice. One of the definitions of justice that was produce was “it is just to give to each what is owed him” (Republic, 331e). Socrates counters that definition by suggesting a madman as an example. (Republic, 332a-c) It seems that Socrates would need to have some amount of virtuous knowledge in order to suggest a competent counterexample. Socrates also displays some level of virtuous knowledge in the Meno. He uses the knowledge that he does have to challenge Meno into developing a comprehensive definition of what virtue is as a whole, rather than simply just listing off various virtues. Finally, in the Apology, after Socrates had been convicted and he was speaking before his death, he makes a request that seems to carry sentiments of recognition of his knowledge. He requests that his sons be treated the same way he treated others. (Apology, 41e) With this dying request, Socrates seems to express faith in his behavior and in his knowledge. He obviously must believe that he is passing on knowledge that is worthwhile if he wants
For example, in the Euthyphro, Socrates uses knowledge of the gods that he possess to contradict claims that Euthyphro made about what is pious and impious. Socrates’ contradictions force his interlocutor to rethink his definitions. (Euthyphro, 7d-8a) In addition, Socrates’ use of his knowledge combined with Euthyphro rethought definition of pious opens the door for Socrates to give rise to the Euthyphro dilemma, a well-known philosophical inquiry concerning the source of pious things piety. (Euthyphro, 10d) Moving to examples from the Republic, in this circumstance, Socrates seems to display some amount of knowledge about what is just and unjust as well as what a happy life is. He utilizes that knowledge to make his interlocutors to come up with several different definitions of justice. One of the definitions of justice that was produce was “it is just to give to each what is owed him” (Republic, 331e). Socrates counters that definition by suggesting a madman as an example. (Republic, 332a-c) It seems that Socrates would need to have some amount of virtuous knowledge in order to suggest a competent counterexample. Socrates also displays some level of virtuous knowledge in the Meno. He uses the knowledge that he does have to challenge Meno into developing a comprehensive definition of what virtue is as a whole, rather than simply just listing off various virtues. Finally, in the Apology, after Socrates had been convicted and he was speaking before his death, he makes a request that seems to carry sentiments of recognition of his knowledge. He requests that his sons be treated the same way he treated others. (Apology, 41e) With this dying request, Socrates seems to express faith in his behavior and in his knowledge. He obviously must believe that he is passing on knowledge that is worthwhile if he wants