What does Socrates mean in his irony: " I know that I don't know "?

Answer 1

Hey Harebrain,

'The only thing I know is that I know nothing at all', was what my philosophy professor use to say. By this he came from a position to learn, not be a know it all. To respect the opinion of others, and to freely admit that superficial human knowledge is not everything. Who stands the best chance of learning something? Someone that knows it all or someone that admits they know nothing?

The irony is that the person that says that, is probably a really smart human being.

Answer 2

Socrates said this famous phrase when he heard from people that he was appointed as the wisest man of those days. Instead of feeling overwhelming pride or accepting this statement right away, his wisdom and humbleness showed with the words, "I only know, that I don´t know", meaning that he thought that there was MUCH more to know, and he didn´t feel he was a meritor of this title. A truly wise person like Socrates, understands that knowledge is infinite, so they will never say they know it all.

Answer 3

It is not irony, it is a profound truth: nobody has the ultimate knowledge, no one knows everything nor can anyone learn or know everything. The more you learn the more you find out that there is more to learn. Our knowledge is a mear glimpse on the divine universe we live on.
Not irony, just modesty, from a very wise man.

Answer 4

He meant that he knew when to speak and when to keep quiet. If you don't know something, admit it, learn it, and go one.

Too many people like to make themselves sound important by speaking on things they know nothing about. Kinda' like Hollywood on politics or the Dixie Chicks on Bush.

Answer 5

Nobody knows anything for sure. Especially in the realm of philosophy and religion People that think they do, are fooling themselves.