2007-09-16 01:11:56 · 11 answers · asked by al luke 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
If you are referring to "nothing" as in "nothingness," then it is possible for man to not truly know or understand "nothing," but it does not mean that man is not AWARE of "nothing."
However, if you're referring to "nothing" in the general sense, then:
If man knew that he did not know anything, by default, man would know SOMETHING. Therefore, man cannot not know anything.
2007-09-16 02:04:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Man thinks that he knows much because he is very knowledgeable, but if he only knew that he would know nothing even if he were all-knowledgeable but without knowing this, he would know the one thing that is worth more than all knowledgeability.
2007-09-16 10:01:23 · answer #2 · answered by shades of Bruno 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Man knows only what he knows and that makes him knowledgeable to himself only .
2007-09-16 10:44:22 · answer #3 · answered by thumba 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only the most wise among us can truly answer your question. The dozen or so answers you've received are not sufficient to have vetted such a person. I use that term loosely.
It would take thousands...or even tens-of-thousands of answers before you could find the one who's worthy to offer the one truth in such matters.
This is because all that we know...or think we know...hinges upon philosophy. Even science, mathematics and technology. The one who can answer your question transcends the sciences in these regards.
All I know is how the greatest philosophical thinkers have influenced the direction(s) of mankind with their profound and Seminole arguments. But their theories are just that...GREAT THEORIES.
No one knows which (if any) are "true." In this sense, once you know them all, as well as how they work upon the ebb & flow of civilization...you KNOW that you know nothing.
That's what the statement means. It was true for Socrates...it's just as true now.
2007-09-20 07:35:59 · answer #4 · answered by M O R P H E U S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if man thought they knew nothing, then they would be confused!
man knows some things, and being knowledgeable is knowing that you dont know everything, and that you may alter your thinking on some of the things you think you know , its accepting what you know today, lack of knowing everything doesnt equal knowing nothing!
2007-09-16 09:23:36 · answer #5 · answered by dlin333 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if he knows he knows nothing he doesn't know nothing ;) paradox. I think man has too big of an ego to really believe he knows nothing. but if he did, then yes, he is knowledgeable.
nice question ^^
2007-09-16 08:20:58 · answer #6 · answered by Alex 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't say man knows nothing. Some of us know enough to get by.
2007-09-16 21:21:22 · answer #7 · answered by Emory 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That was Socrates' claim to fame. He went to an oracle that told him nobody was wiser than him. He realized that the only thing that he knew was that he know nothing. He spent his days debating with the top minds in Athens- teachers, politicians, writers. He would always find that they didn't know anything either, but they didn't know that they didn't know. So, his wisdom was that he was less ignorant than them.
For observations like these, he was executed. It's all described in Plato's "Apology."
2007-09-16 08:44:01 · answer #8 · answered by almac 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually "man" knows quite a bit
2007-09-16 10:01:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, because the more you know, the less you know you know
2007-09-16 13:44:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋