Abstract

The concept of “wisdom” which Plato elaborates in his Apology is analyzed here. In doing so, we describe how Socrates, once declared by the Oracle to be “the wisest man,” starts to analyze what wisdom actually means. In trying to contradict the Oracle, Socrates mixes with different social groups including politicians, poets, and artisans. He discovers that none of them possess a real understanding or awareness of what wisdom actually is. Thus, Socrates concludes that he must be the wisest man because, “he knows that he does not know.” This ignorantia docta is a type of humanistic knowledge.