Interpretations of socratess d
Interpretations of socratess d“…. he went to Delphi at one time and ventured to ask the oracle…he asked if any man was wiser than I, and the Pythian replied that no one was wiser…” 21b
The oracle speaks in amphiboly. An amphiboly is a statement whose meaning is indeterminate in a peculiar way. The statement has an obvious meaning that is false and a hidden or concealed meaning which is true. It often requires an interpretation, which is done by the shrine's priest. When Socrates states the oracular respond of god, he does not give an adequate interpretation of the statement. This has lead to the inconsistency in his claims on wisdom.
By suggesting different interpretations of the statements, this contradiction could be resolved. A detail analysis of the two conflicting statements will gives a deeper insight as to what Socrates really mean when he speaks of wisdom.
Socrates totally agrees with God when he says (through the oracle) ,“wisdom is worthless.” To understand why Socrates coincides with that statement, there are three convictions of his that must be considered. One, to claim that you have wisdom, but in fact not, is ignorant. Two, to say that you do not have wisdom and acknowledge such fact is wisdom. Three, to possess wisdom but do not speak of it is true wisdom. Socrates belongs to the second group. The confession that he does not posses it is wisdom in itself. According to Socrates, this wisdom is worthless because it is not true wisdom. However, even though such wisdom is worthless, it is nevertheless, wisdom. To choose between being a fool and being wise, Socrates goes for the latter. Socrates knows that he knows nothing. This paradox is what makes him the wisest among the mortal.
If Socrates is the wisest among the mortals, and that he belongs to the second group, then it will be logical to assume that there are no mortal in the third group. It can also be said that most mortals are ignorant. Therefore, the interpretation is...
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