Lessons from Platos Apology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Lessons from Platos Apology - Essay Example The present research has identified that the first lesson learned from the Apology relates to the nature of wisdom. After being instructed by the Oracle that he holds profound wisdom, Socrates searches throughout Athens for men of wisdom. Upon encountering one man, Socrates says, â€Å"Well, although I do not suppose either of us knows anything really beautiful and good, I am better off than he is – for he knows nothing and thinks that he knows†. Here, Socrates is demonstrating that the true wisdom is not knowledge, but the understanding that humanity is very ignorant. This is an important lesson as it is still important for the world and has strong implications for people’s daily lives. The second lesson learned from the Apology concerns the nature of established areas of knowledge. After establishing the nature of wisdom, Socrates discusses areas of art and craftsmanship. In these regards, Socrates says, â€Å"Meletus has a quarrel with me on behalf of the poe ts, Anytus, on behalf of the craftsmen, Lycon, on behalf of the orators†. While Socrates had earlier said that true wisdom is the understanding that there is no wisdom, here Socrates is indicating that the areas of knowledge of the poets, craftsmen, and orators, also know nothing. In these thoughts, I learned from Socrates that many areas of knowledge claim they have wisdom that they don’t. The third lesson learned from the Apology is that while someone might have knowledge in one area it does not necessarily mean that they have knowledge in another area. During Socrates quest to discover people of wisdom he talks to the poets. Socrates says, â€Å"I further observed that upon the strength of their poetry they believed themselves to be the wisest of men in other things in which they were not wise†. Here Socrates is saying that the poets believe that since they have poetry knowledge, they also have true wisdom about the world.