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What Is Socratic Ignorance?
The Importance of Socratic Ignorance
The best way to change dogmatically held beliefs is to start with a skeptical attitude and ask questions, assuming you know nothing.
However, it is questionable how feasible it is to keep an attitude of Socratic ignorance on all matters. Even Socrates says, for instance, that he is sure that no real harm can befall a good man. He is equally confident that "the unexamined life is not worth living."
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Socratic ignorance
Socratic ignorance refers to a person's acknowledgment of their ignorance: "I know only one thing – that I know nothing."
It is also referred to as "Socratic wisdom."
Socratic ignorance in Plato's Dialogues
Greek philosopher Socrates (469-399 BCE) is associated with humility regarding what one knows. In Plato's dialogues, Socrates is shown to challenge someone who thinks they know something, but when questioned thoroughly about it, turns out not to understand at all. By contrast, Socrates admits from the start that he does not know the answer.
In the Meno (a Socratic dialogue by Plato), Socrates is asked by Meno if virtue can be taught. Socrates responds that he doesn't know what virtue is. In a later part of the dialogue, Socrates shows that an essential step to learning anything is to clear one's mind of false ideas, even if you seem ignorant.
The Importance of Socratic Ignorance
The best way to change dogmatically held beliefs is to start with a skeptical attitude and ask questions, assuming you know nothing.
However, it is questionable how feasible it is to keep an attitude of Socratic ignorance on all matters. Even Socrates says, for instance, that he is sure that no real harm can befall a good man. He is equally confident that "the unexamined life is not worth living."
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Eudaimonia is a much deeper and richer concept than happiness and is viewed in terms of living a worthwhile life. It has everything to do with hard work.
Socrates and Plato on Eudaimonia
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Defining Eudaimonia
Eudaimonia is a term which comes from Aristotle’s work called ‘Nicomachean Ethics’ and means individual well-being and happiness. It combines the prefix eu (meaning good) ...
Plato And Eudaimonism
- Plato believed that because we feel unhappy internally when we do something wrong, eudaimonia is the highest feeling of moral thought and behaviour where there is real happiness from within. Happiness, according to him, was about living in the pursuit of various virtues, central to flourishing.
- Plato never mentioned the term eudaimonia, but his writings on the concept of courage, justice, wisdom and moderation point towards the same domain of wellbeing.
Aristotle And Eudaimonism
Aristotle in his many works has provided numerous interpretations of eudaimonia, explaining it as something reflecting the pursuit of virtue, excellence and the best within us. According to him, eudaimonia is a rational activity aimed at the pursuit of what is worthwhile in life.
Having an intention to be virtuous was an important factor for eudaimonia.
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