Why do people who claim they "know nothing" think they're smarter than everyone else?

Question

some people have said that when they reach the zenith of knowledge that they then realize that they really "know nothing", and it always come off as condescending to me, for some reason

Answer 1

,Who in particular?

It really is true that the more you learn, the more you realize that you can never know everything about a subject. I don't think they are being arrogant.

Whenever you meet a self-proclaimed "expert" you'd be very wise not to trust their judgment. Such claims proceed from sophomorism, not knowledge.

Answer 2

I would share your skepticism if we are talking about the path to enlightenment. Central to this journey is developing true knowledge and a personal self-realization of the "word" (John1:1). However, it is also true that this path creates a clarity that unburdens your mind of that which is unnecessary or irrelevant. When Michelangelo was asked how he was able to create the Masterpiece of the Statue of David, he said that he took the stone and removed the part that did not belong. Much of the work that needs to be done on the spiritual path is exactly that process. But progress on this path should be characterized by greater understanding not be “thinking that one is smarter then everyone else.”

Answer 3

You seem to have a problem with Socrates. Diogenes Laertius said that Socrates claimed, "He knew nothing, except the fact of his ignorance" in his Lives of Eminent Philosophers.

Your dislike of this claim stems from one of two sources.

1. Others that have made this claim to you either seem or are intellectually arrogant.

I cannot apologize for fools who misuse the wisdom of one of the world’s greatest minds.

2. You fail to understand what Socrates and those who make this claim mean.

For Socrates knowledge is a process of becoming, a recollection (αναμνησις). For Socrates the only way to "know" proper is to have full access to intellect, to Νους, but unfortunately, we may never fully access the Νους. The gods have it but we, who are temporal and physical, must go on a quest to bring together the dissolute parts of true knowledge we possess a priori. Our temporal and physical natures may prevent a full recollection, at least while we live. This is why Socrates knows nothing but his own ignorance; he "knows" many things that people would commonly call knowledge so-called "facts.” Indeed, he knows far more than the average person does, but he is not in possession of what he would call true knowledge -only on his way to it.

Thus, the proper way to understand the statement is as an affirmation of the quest for full knowledge not as some haughty pillar of intellectualism. If anyone uses it differently they hold themselves as more intelligent than they should.

I hope that this helps you better understand. I wish for you the best of times and implore you to keep learning.

Answer 4

Because it is arrogance to believe that you know everything or that you ever possibly could. As you accumulate knowledge, you glimpse all that you still do not know and come to realize that you know nothing next the vastness of the undiscovered.

Answer 5

it is not some, it was a Greek philosopher by the name of Plato, who mentionned the idea in his teachings...being that the more you seek the truth, the more you learn and ultimately you realize that knowledge is endless which also means that what one knows today may well loose its validity tommorow on account of a bigger piece of the truth being revealed... it seems a wise, sobering philosophical axiom and it is often evoked by individuals of the so called studious type..some of them being also conceited

Answer 6

Because the more you know, the more you realize you don't know. I've never actually heard anyone say they know nothing, but I am aware of the fact that as knowledge progresses, definite answers become unclear.

Answer 7

That is a super question!!

I fully agree with you that those who claim they know nothing do seem to feel superior and look down upon us.

Those who genuinely believe they know nothing would rather keep quiet than brag about it.

In any case, 'I know nothing' is always a lie, since he at least thinks he knows that he knows nothing!!..... and looks down upon others who he believes know nothing and don't even realise that they know nothing!!!

Generally speaking, those who show off their humility are highly self conscious and proud.

Answer 8

because they actually havent reached the zenith of knowledge...

they just think they have..

luckily, they bump their heads and they realize that they know nothing..

Answer 9

Simply, because they consider the people who are proud of their knowledge are not smart enough.

Answer 10

i think its cos they know so much that they start to realize that everything they know is really nothing.cos theres probably more into that and the thing its MORE INTO THAT is what they dont know.arggh confusing