Socrates Conceptualization of Wisdom and The Limitation of One

Socrates Conceptualization of Wisdom and The Limitation of One essay assignment

Socrates Conceptualization of Wisdom and The Limitation of One Understanding and Knowledge essay assignment

Introduction

  • Society adopts measurements and competitive tests to assess wisdom, but there is a continuum of wisdom and foolishness.
  • One could be wiser and less foolish, but none can claim perfect wisdom or perfect foolishness.
  • Socrates summarizes this in his proposition on the right approach to wisdom.

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Thesis

Acknowledging one’s limitation is an opportunity to evaluate one’s wisdom and growth, but this must be compared among and against humans.

Premises Supporting the Thesis

My thesis is based on three observations.

  1. Socrates had a humble approach to the wisdom that allows one to learn from others and challenge what is perceived as established wisdom (Wacławczyk, 2019).
  2. Categorizing wisdom is an important element and shows that Socrates elevated higher wisdom and warned against elevating human wisdom.
  3. Socrates famously observed that wisdom was contingent on one’s ability to recognize the limits of their understanding and knowledge.

The reason that needs the most support

            Socrates’ argument that human wisdom is limited should obtain the most support.

The main objection to my argument

One could challenge the thesis on several bases.

  1. Socrates refers to the wisdom of the gods as supreme and perfect
  2. Human beings can become intelligent and wise in their right as mortals, and gods can become wise in their lofty status as gods.
  3. Socrates applies an unfair standard
  4. Socrates alludes to the gods as wise, which creates a dilemma for the non-believers.
  5. Finally, it is blasphemous that Socrates claims he is wise than his peers when only the gods possess true wisdom.

Response to The Objections

One cannot overthrow Socrates’ reasoning in its entirety. First, Socrates’s argument is on principle and not content.

Conclusion

  • Socrates’ test of wisdom is logical, humble, and consistent with his practice.
  • He is titled the wisest by the gods of Delphi, but this creates a dilemma for modern scholars in assessing the truthfulness and reliability of the gods’ statement.
  • The gods of Delphi represent a fraction of religious beliefs who might have a different opinion on Socrates’ wisdom.
  • Acknowledging one’s limitation is an opportunity to evaluate one’s wisdom and growth; but this must be compared among and against humans.

 

References

Garvin E. E. (2013). Plato: The Apology of Socrates. H. N. Fowler Translation, Loeb (1913). Edited with introduction and notes by E. E. Garvin (2013).

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