Apologia 20e 23

Summary

The transcript explores Socrates' philosophy, contrasting his methods with the sophists' claims of teaching the 'Art of Living.' Socrates asserts that wisdom, especially moral knowledge, cannot be taught but can be pursued through questioning and reflection. He emphasizes humility, recognizing his own ignorance, while examining political figures, poets, and craftsmen to highlight their lack of true wisdom. The discussion also touches on the role of God and faith in Socratic thought, concluding that human wisdom is inherently limited, and true wisdom comes from knowing one's ignorance.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Philosophy, according to Socrates, is unteachable. It involves the love of wisdom, contrasting with sophists who claim to teach the art of living.
• 👨‍🏫 Socrates argues that if wisdom or virtue could be taught, wise men like Pericles would have taught it to their sons, but this did not happen.
• 🔄 Socrates presents a paradox: virtue cannot be taught and can be taught, as it is tied to knowledge but elusive in its nature.
• ❓ The dialogue centers on the contrast between teaching (telling) and questioning, where Socrates favors asking deep questions to seek wisdom.
• 🙅‍♂️ Socrates admits to possessing a kind of 'human wisdom,' which is the awareness of his own ignorance, as opposed to divine wisdom.
• ⚖️ Socrates emphasizes that value questions, like justice, are as objective as factual questions but are approached differently.
• 😇 Socrates compares himself to a lover of wisdom, not someone who claims to have it, emphasizing humility as essential to philosophy.
• ⛪ Socrates suggests that humility and belief in God go hand in hand, contrasting this with pride in disbelief, as seen in Nietzsche’s philosophy.
• 🔍 The Oracle of Delphi played a significant role in Socrates' journey to philosophy, stating that no one is wiser than Socrates, which he interprets as a riddle.
• 🌍 Socrates uses cross-examination to expose the ignorance of others, ultimately finding that he is wise only because he knows he is not wise.

Q & A

What is Socrates' view on teaching philosophy?

Socrates argues that philosophy, or the pursuit of wisdom, is unteachable. He contrasts philosophers with sophists, noting that while sophists claim to teach the 'art of living,' he himself cannot teach such knowledge. Philosophy, according to Socrates, can only be demonstrated in action by a lover of wisdom, not taught like other subjects.

Why does Socrates believe virtue cannot be taught?

Socrates uses the example of Pericles, a wise man who could not teach virtue to his own sons, to suggest that virtue cannot be taught. He also mentions that, although we always seek what we think is good, if we only knew that virtue brings true happiness, we would always seek virtue. This highlights the paradox of virtue being knowledge but not teachable.

What is the distinction between teaching and telling according to Socrates?

Socrates distinguishes between teaching by questioning (his method) and telling (the sophists’ method). Teaching by questioning involves guiding individuals to discover answers for themselves, while telling involves simply giving answers. Socrates favors the former because it encourages deeper inquiry and personal engagement with the questions.

How does Socrates view human wisdom?

Socrates admits to possessing a form of 'human wisdom,' which he defines as the wisdom of knowing one’s own ignorance. He contrasts this with 'superhuman wisdom,' which he claims to lack. Socrates’ wisdom is grounded in humility, as he acknowledges his lack of knowledge, while others falsely believe they are wise.

What does Socrates claim is the relationship between humility and belief in God?

Socrates argues that belief in God naturally leads to humility because if there is a higher divine standard, human wisdom is relatively insignificant. In contrast, skepticism about God often leads to pride, as humans then consider themselves the highest authority. Socrates sees humility as inherent in religious belief.

How does Socrates interpret the Oracle’s statement that he is the wisest man?

Socrates initially questions the Oracle’s statement, as he is aware of his own ignorance. He concludes that the Oracle means that he is the wisest because he knows that he knows nothing, while others falsely believe they possess wisdom. This realization leads him to the practice of philosophy.

What is the significance of the god Apollo in Socrates’ defense?

Socrates uses the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi as a key witness in his defense against accusations of atheism. He recounts how the Oracle declared him the wisest man, which Socrates interprets as a divine challenge to examine human wisdom. This divine endorsement becomes central to his philosophical mission.

What method does Socrates use to test the wisdom of others?

Socrates develops the method of 'elenchus,' or cross-examination, to test the wisdom of others. He engages politicians, poets, and craftsmen in dialogue to see if they possess the wisdom they claim to have. Through this method, he finds that those who appear wise often do not have true knowledge.

How does Socrates solve the riddle of the Oracle?

Socrates solves the riddle by recognizing that while he lacks conventional wisdom, his awareness of his own ignorance makes him wiser than those who falsely believe they are wise. This acknowledgment of his limitations aligns with the Oracle’s declaration that no one is wiser than Socrates.

What does Socrates believe is the role of philosophy?

Socrates sees philosophy as a pursuit of wisdom that begins with the recognition of one’s own ignorance. He believes that philosophy is not about accepting norms or the ordinary, but about constantly seeking more. Philosophy is a journey of questioning and challenging what is taken for granted.