Wisdom in Plato's Apology
Wisdom - Plato’s “Apology”
Many have tried to find definitions to wisdom over the course of time and many have pursued the ideal of becoming wise. This trait is worn as a title of glory and pride by those seen as wise, but Socrates’ wisdom brought him more enemies than it did followers or friends. His desire for insight into human nature and all that is around provoked him to ask questions, and those who question the “normal” way of things are dangerous and frightening. Should one be accused for their hunger of knowledge and understanding? The gods said that there was no man wiser than Socrates. But as he did not think so of himself and was an inquiring man by nature, he sought out to find a man wiser than him. Each man who had a reputation for being wise proved to be otherwise, because they did not see the limits of their knowledge. Socrates eventually comes to the conclusion that, indeed, there is no man wiser than him for he is the only one to admit to his ignorance. He is wise because he will never stop searching for the truth and he is aware of the fact that no man can know everything (“God only is wise”; “He is the wisest, who, like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is in truth worth nothing”). Socrates is put on trial for being an “evil force”. He has created many enemies over the course of time. First, he is a very good orator. His ability to manipulate words and using the power of speeches intimidates and scares those who are not as skilled. Not only can he speak very eloquently and convincingly, but he is also able to provide arguments in favor of his opinions.
One of the qualities which strengthen his words and the impact of his speech is his ennobling sincerity. In my opinion, being conscious and honest in accepting the truth is a major component of wisdom. Socrates is one of the strongest proponents of sincerity, and is even willing to die rather than present reality as something that it is not. In a world where everybody lives believing an
Many have tried to find definitions to wisdom over the course of time and many have pursued the ideal of becoming wise. This trait is worn as a title of glory and pride by those seen as wise, but Socrates’ wisdom brought him more enemies than it did followers or friends. His desire for insight into human nature and all that is around provoked him to ask questions, and those who question the “normal” way of things are dangerous and frightening. Should one be accused for their hunger of knowledge and understanding? The gods said that there was no man wiser than Socrates. But as he did not think so of himself and was an inquiring man by nature, he sought out to find a man wiser than him. Each man who had a reputation for being wise proved to be otherwise, because they did not see the limits of their knowledge. Socrates eventually comes to the conclusion that, indeed, there is no man wiser than him for he is the only one to admit to his ignorance. He is wise because he will never stop searching for the truth and he is aware of the fact that no man can know everything (“God only is wise”; “He is the wisest, who, like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is in truth worth nothing”). Socrates is put on trial for being an “evil force”. He has created many enemies over the course of time. First, he is a very good orator. His ability to manipulate words and using the power of speeches intimidates and scares those who are not as skilled. Not only can he speak very eloquently and convincingly, but he is also able to provide arguments in favor of his opinions.
One of the qualities which strengthen his words and the impact of his speech is his ennobling sincerity. In my opinion, being conscious and honest in accepting the truth is a major component of wisdom. Socrates is one of the strongest proponents of sincerity, and is even willing to die rather than present reality as something that it is not. In a world where everybody lives believing an