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True wisdom comes to each of us when we realise how little we understand about life, ourselves and the world around us. - Socrates.

2007-12-12 01:10:20 · 25 answers · asked by Dunk 3 in Education & Reference Quotations

Firefoxy, your pretty ignorant! This is no Platitude, it's Socrates for Christ's sakes! Can we have some more intelligent people answering this please!

2007-12-12 01:20:59 · update #1

Good point John R, but ave you thought that what old soccy was trying to say was precisely that. True Wisdom comes to anyone who realises.. etc. Obviously not all of us realise this, so not all of us are wise. I don't know though, as I have not studied Socrates and am therefor rather ignorant myself.

2007-12-12 01:29:24 · update #2

25 answers

like all platitudes it can be true, in some circumstances


{edit}
Platitude - a flat, dull, or trite remark
I dont care if it's socrates or not
it's not a dichotomy... in some circumstances it may be correct, in some circumstances it may not

real life doesn't fit in neat boxes and is not always open to right/wrong, black/white, true/not true answers

This is common sense - and anyone who has given you a definite answer is either not living in the real world, or is very short on common sense

{edit again} I wonder what socrates would have thought about people worshiping his words as sacrosanct absolute truth... I think he would have been appalled by the mindless sheeple without a brain to think for themselves

2007-12-12 01:13:17 · answer #1 · answered by Vinni and beer 7 · 1 3

I don't really think this is a good quote. If you break it down, it basically means you are wise if you know there is a lot of crap you don't know.

Does that mean when I admit to myself that I don't know the answer to a question that I am wise?

I would think it is impossible to acquire true wisdom.

A definition for wisdom is the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.

I do not like how vagueness is considered wise.

True wisdom is not realizing you do not know everything.

True wisdom is learning from one's own experiences, as well as the experiences of others and always striving to gain more experience. And to use what one has learned to teach those around them.


So in fact this statement from Socrates is false.
Maybe he should say the first step to True Wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves and the world around us.

2007-12-12 03:24:49 · answer #2 · answered by RockChalk77 2 · 0 0

No I don't think it literally speaks the truth. I don't believe that true wisdom necessarily comes to all of us. If it was changed to true wisdom can only come to us when.... then I would be happy about that. That's the trouble with Socrates he thought too much of us all. Lets face it even the Athenians eventually found him a bit of a pain in the neck.

2007-12-12 01:23:50 · answer #3 · answered by JOHN R 4 · 0 0

No, I'm not sure I do. A lot of the current 'endarkenment' scourging our civilisation - by this I mean the growth of new age cults, counter-factual beliefs and the resurgence of superstitious thinking, is fuelled by the thought that 'well, science doesn't know / can't explain everything'
True, but I think too many people fail to appreciate just how much we do know and understand about the universe, enough to say definitively for example that some beliefs and ideas are a complete load of old codswallop!

2007-12-12 01:17:59 · answer #4 · answered by Avondrow 7 · 0 0

Yes, I think it speaks the truth. Ignorance is believing you know everything, when, of course, NO HUMAN knows everything. Even if someone got together all the minds of this world, and combined their knowledge, it would still be true. The human mind is not cabable of processing so many questions asked. True wisdom is very rare to find in this day and time... Even I have yet to find someone who can enlighten with knowledge that makes sense...

2007-12-13 14:25:05 · answer #5 · answered by Rose Willow 4 · 0 0

From dictionary.com:

wisdom

noun
1. accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
2. the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight [ant: folly]
3. ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight
4. the quality of being prudent and sensible

Does this sound like what Socrates was talking about?

2007-12-12 01:32:08 · answer #6 · answered by Quatermass 2 · 0 0

NO, it does not speak the truth. Its is just a nice sentence written by someone long long ago. Its is just a statement that teacher can put on a test or use for discussion in a class room. It has no meaning outside of that. That a $1.00 will get you a cup of coffee at MickyDees

2007-12-12 01:18:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

The truly wise on the journey and path to Absolute truth have maintained that the more we learn ther greater there remains unlearnt. The Absolute Truth is there, for they who have eyes to see and ears to hear. Love conquers all ills. All tasks and endeavours directed with love are eventually fruitful. God Is Love. Those who have found love as their constant companion, find goodness in all things. Why the quest for truth. To find the freedom that releases us from this hell of mbeing at the mercy of an unknown and misunderstood power, freedom to live in peace and harmony and be as happy and as inspired as we wish to be....look forward to your further response.

2007-12-12 01:19:19 · answer #8 · answered by VAndors Excelsior™ (Jeeti Johal Bhuller)™ 7 · 0 0

It means the more we know, the more we know that we don't know. Another way to say it without cliches and quotes is once you study the sciences, you should be humbled by the vast amount of information already discovered and that there is much more that mankind has still not yet discovered.

2007-12-12 02:37:40 · answer #9 · answered by Frank 5 · 0 0

to an extent yes,

its quite a strange one though, basically being told that true wisdom comes from realising we know nothing!!!!!!!

personally i think wisdom comes from making mistakes!
"blimey i won't touch that iron when its on again" You See!!! Wisdom!

2007-12-12 01:16:44 · answer #10 · answered by Dazman 4 · 0 0

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