Socrates' Philosophy on Knowledge: Easy to Acquire? - Essay Sample

Introduction

Philosophy is a complex topic that calls for what Socrates refers to higher knowledge. In searching for the truth, of what is right and what is wrong wisdom and, knowledge is the guiding virtue. In our conceptions, almost everybody believes to be wise and, knowledgeable. However, we shall attempt to establish and try to prove whether it is easy to acquire knowledge as a virtue and, how that knowledge is attained. Therefore, in our presentation, we are going to discuss Socrates philosophy on knowledge to unearth the stalemate surrounding his wisdom.

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Socrates is one of the most celebrated philosophers of all time. However, he did not write his work; his student Plato came to put his ideas in writing. Socrates was tried, found guilty and, sentenced to death for alleged incitement of the youth and, impiety (his proclamation of one God against the many Athenian gods. In his trial, he made submissions which are popularly referred to as 'The Apology'. In his 'apology' at the courtyard, while defending himself, he attempted to explain to the authorities his conception of philosophy. His views, ideas and, arguments did not free him either; he was convicted of the two counts.

In his theory and ideas, Socrates believes that for life to be meaningful, it must be an examined life. For life to be worth living, it has to go through an assessment. The purpose of the examination is ("Socrates On Wisdom") for a person to establish whether his principles and, values are right. Socrates suggested a method known as elenchus (Socratic method) for examining the life of an individual. The technique was used in essence to tell something that cannot be true and, not something that is not true. Through the examination, people would recognize their ignorance and live humble and, modest lives.

Again, Socrates argued that no one is wise himself notwithstanding. While defending himself during the trial, he spoke of his friend Chaerephon who went to ask the oracle of Delphi a question on whether she believed that there was anyone wiser than Socrates. In her response, the prophet answered that there existed no one. Socrates became perplexed by the reaction as he did not believe that he was wise, but he recognized his ignorance. To find the truth, Socrates went to different types of people, including the politicians, artisans, and, craftsmen. All of the people interviewed by Socrates believed they were wise. To the contrary, Socrates claimed not to be wise and only aware of his ignorance. In his conclusion, he said for the people claimed to be wise, then they were not so because no one of them, including himself, knew 'higher matters'. They only possessed human wisdom. For, example, artisans claimed to wise on the grounds of having art knowledge. Therefore, it is responsible for a human being to examine himself and, live a philosophical life. Thus, for him, virtue is knowledge.

In his method of examining our lives and finding the truth, people are supposed to ask others in their dialogues and, in discourse. The question, starts with, 'What is...Y?' Y can be anything. For example, 'what is love?' The question seeks necessary information about love. The person asking the question proclaims ignorance that he doesn't know anything about it. The interlocutor is allowed to answer. The answer given is not what we are looking for, as our objective is to see the essence of love. The respondent proceeds to provide a definition. In our analysis, the interpretation contradicts the answer, which rules out the definition as incorrect. The process goes on and on, and we establish inconsistencies in the answers and thus proves no definitions can be true. Therefore, through the process, people are not only made reminded of their ignorance but also made to be aware of them. By people examining themselves through the method, people are made to be aware of their ignorance instead of believing that they are wise while they no nothing.

Moreover, when people recognize that they do not know anything, they are left in a perplexed state. The state brings the people near the truth. According to Socrates, a person becoming ignorant at times is better than having knowledge. Through his method, he emphasizes that the method is crucial as it provides a chance for people to assess themselves through an examination of what they believe in and, what they stand for.

In my analysis, I think Socrates chose to die for his philosophy by the mere fact that he was considered wise because he knew that he knows nothing ("A Critique Of Socrates Ethics Philosophy Essay"). By standing his grounds on his philosophy against the jury, he pressurized them to convict him and, sentence him to death.

Nonetheless, according to Aristotle, to be knowledgeable is a virtue. Therefore, in my critical analysis, to no the right thing is to be right. Therefore, when a person does a wrong thing, it is because he doesn't know the right thing.

Lastly, his method of examination of trying to know the truth on knowledge is subjective rather than being objective. Since the formula makes a person to know about his ignorance, it might make a person believe he doesn't know anything and, that he is stupid. The state might then lead an individual to stop seeking for knowledge.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have discussed Socrates principles and arguments on knowledge and wisdom philosophy. In our presentation, we have found that knowledge is the virtue that leads us to the truth. Knowing the truth allows us to do the right things in life because we do things after examining whether they are good or not.

Works Cited

"A Critique Of Socrates Ethics Philosophy Essay". Uniassignment.Com, 2019, https://www.uniassignment.com/essay-samples/philosophy/a-critique-of-socrates-ethics-philosophy-essay.php.

"Socrates On Wisdom". Medium, 2019, https://medium.com/indian-thoughts/the-only-true-wisdom-is-in-knowing-you-know-nothing-5789c8994cc6.