NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
Wisdom is an important topic examined by Socrates in Plato's Apology. Socrates points out that wisdom is admitting ones own ignorance. Socrates believes that his own wisdom comes from realizing that in respect of wisdom he is really worthless (44). Socrates shows wisdom because he is able to admit what he does not know. He does not pretend to have knowledge when he does not have it. Socrates puts different people reputed for knowledge into examination and concludes that they do not really have any wisdom.
He finds that the people with the greatest reputations were almost entirely deficient, while others who were suppose to be their inferiors were much more noteworthy for their general good sense (43). It is actually those who claim to lesser knowledge who have greater wisdom. This means that possession of human knowledge cannot lead to wisdom. Instead, ignorance and ones capability to accept it is the key to true wisdom. Even though Socrates shows that knowledge cannot bring true wisdom, he is on a continual search for knowledge and truth.
He proposes to the jury, think of my adventures as a cycle of labours undertaken to establish the truth (43). Because Socrates had already stated that knowledge is not the way to wisdom, it makes his investigations seem pointless and contradicting. Once a person pursues and gains knowledge, he can no longer admit to ignorance. But Socrates had claimed that realizing ones own ignorance is true wisdom.
I found Socrates to be contradictory in his arguments because he strongly believes in examination for truth and the search for knowledge, but he claims that accepting ignorance instead of acquiring knowledge is true wisdom. In his defense against his old accusers, Socrates centralizes his argument on disproving any personal wisdom that he possesses. He asks himself, I have no claim to wisdom, great or small; so what can he mean by asserting that I am the wisest man (42). Socrates objections of his own wisdom leads to an examination of what is true wisdom.
He examines different classes of people who held a reputation for wisdom. In all of them, the politician, the poet, and the craftsmen, all seem to exhibit the same flaw. In addition to each of their respective lines of work, Socrates sees that each one of them thinks that he knows something which he does not know (42). All these people claimed to knowledge, but their lack of it and their failure to realize this deficiency destroys any sense of wisdom left in them. Socrates concludes that he does not want to be neither wise with their wisdom nor ignorant with their ignorance (43). Socrates does not pretend to be wise, because by doing so he believes it only furthers his ignorance.
He shows that he has accepted his ignorance. Socrates distinguishes this difference between him and the people he had examined. He states that personally he was quite conscious of my ignorance (42). From his examination, Socrates draws the idea that accepting personal ignorance is true wisdom. People who show that they have knowledge cannot be wise. Socrates strong adherence to his process of examination is useless if knowledge cannot lead to wisdom.
He is on a continual search for knowledge. Socrates explains his followers as, people who often take me as their model, and go on to try to question other persons (44). Socrates shows that it is obvious that he lives his whole life questioning everything. Socrates, along with everyone else, wishes to be enlightened with wisdom. By finding the truth, Socrates gains knowledge. An example of this can easily be seen in his examination of what is true wisdom.
Socrates starts out not understanding what true wisdom is and why he possesses it. He begins by questioning, What kind of wisdom do I mean (41)? The question of what is wisdom is now presented. He goes through and examines wisdom. He concludes that true wisdom is accepting ones ignorance.
By going through the examination process, Socrates has undoubtedly gained some knowledge. After his examination, Socrates is able to conclude, human wisdom has little or no value (44). Socrates has reached a conclusion that was not obvious to him before the examination. It is logical to see from this example that every time Socrates brings a subject into examination, a conclusion is reached and Socrates subsequently gains some knowledge. He is no longer ignorant towards the subject. Socrates cannot deny that he has gained knowledge in this way.
If he keeps on claiming ignorance, he is only hiding his knowledge. As a result, it is only proper that Socrates must admit to having knowledge of the subject he just examined. However, by claiming to knowledge he is denying his ignorance and ultimately his wisdom. If wisdom is accepting ignorance, he should not have given the subject an examination at all.
Socrates examination process and search for truth does not go along with his idea of humans accepting their own ignorance. It makes his actions contradict his beliefs. An alternative argument to the validity of Socrates claims is that he makes a strong case for humility. Socrates makes a strong argument that it is advantageous to acquire knowledge, but true wisdom is realizing that no knowledge can amount to humility. Socrates demonstrates his humility throughout by his denial of personal wisdom.
In the beginning when he has learned that the oracle has designated him to be the wisest of all, he refutes this assertion. He admits, I am only too conscious that I have no claim to wisdom (42). Socrates realizes that he has no wisdom and is ready to prove that he does not. After acquiring knowledge from his examinations, he still shows that his knowledge does not surpass his humility. Socrates still believes that in respect of wisdom he is really worthless (44).
Socrates tendency to show humility in his character is an important difference between him and the people he had examined who did not show any humility. Socrates condemns them as pretending to knowledge when they are entirely ignorant (45). From this point of view, wisdom is actually humility. By accepting ignorance when Socrates really does possess knowledge, he is trying to emphasize humility. I think that the argument for humility is problematic because Socrates points out other peoples inability to show the same humility. I find that Socrates is actually presenting himself with some arrogance.
He is saying that he alone has figured out humility is wisdom, and that others fail to realize this idea. Socrates says, if I think that anyone is wise, whether citizen or stranger; and when I decide that he is not wise, I try to assist the god by proving that he is not (44). Socrates claims that it is his duty to refute anyone that claims wisdom, but has not discovered what true wisdom really is. By giving that objective to himself, Socrates is saying that he possesses the authority to what is true wisdom. Socrates description of the people he has examined also shows that he sees inferiority in them compared to him. He describes his subjects of examination as, people who think they know something, but really know little or nothing (44).
Socrates is saying that the people he examined and all their knowledge is useless. It is evident that Socrates is showing some arrogance. This further strengthens my argument that Socrates is contradictory, because by trying to show humility he is actually exhibiting arrogance. In the Apology, Plato probably attempted to present Socrates as how he wanted Socrates to be remembered. After analyzing Socrates examination of wisdom, I found Socrates to be paradoxical and contradicting. Socrates concludes from his examinations of wisdom that wisdom is accepting ones own ignorance.
The people that Socrates examined with greater knowledge seem to exhibit lesser wisdom. This was seen when Socrates proves that the politicians, poets, and craftsmen lacked real wisdom. While those who are suppose to be inferior had greater wisdom for their acceptance of ignorance. From this it is concluded that possession of knowledge does not lead to wisdom. However, Socrates is on a continual search for knowledge. His process of examination is a search for knowledge in itself.
He believes in searching for the truth in things and gaining knowledge. He seeks to gain knowledge and truth, but then knowledge cannot lead to wisdom so this shows that he is contradicting himself. While his emphasis on ignorance may be an attempt to show humility, he actually shows some arrogance by pointing out other peoples faults and maintaining himself as an authority on what is real wisdom. Either way Socrates intentions are paradoxical.
Free research essays on topics related to: ignorance, socrates, socrates claims, wisdom, knowledge and truth
Research essay sample on Knowledge And Truth Socrates Claims
