In Plato’s Apology, according to the Oracle at Delphi Socrates was the wisest man of all people. Still in the content he claims that, “in truth, worth nothing in regard to wisdom” and in a lot of Plato’s works he constantly shows his ignorance. Is Socrates claiming he is not the wisest but at the same time saying he is? No, because in the Apology he admits that he is the wisest man and goes on saying that others should also fall into his path of wisdom. He also makes clear that he is ignorant to what makes him wise “any wisdom great or small.” (Apology 21b) If the people of Athens were to strive towards wisdom, following Socrates was the best way to go, according to the Oracle’s understanding.
Socrates claims that he is wise and ignorant,
Socrates claims that he is wise and ignorant,