Socratic paradox
Encyclopedia
The phrase Socratic paradox can refer to two separate things.
The more common usage refers to an object or idea whose very existence, or acknowledgment, is a paradox
. Its name is derived from a quote of Socrates
from the Republic, where he says, "I know nothing at all
." The question that arises is how he knows that he knows nothing, if this is the only information he possesses. A more well-known Socratic paradox would be the phrase, "this sentence is false
."
The secondary usage refers to statements of Socrates
that seem contrary to common sense, such as that "no one desires evil." In this usage, the term does not refer to a strict paradox, but rather to either of two surprising and unacceptable conclusions drawn from the Socratic dialogues of Plato: (i) the startling consequence of Socrates' association of knowledge and virtue, according to which nobody ever does wrong knowingly; (ii) the view that nobody knows what they mean when they use a term unless they can provide an explicit definition of it. Although this last is sometimes called the Socratic fallacy, this can be regarded as being uncharitable to Socrates, whose concern was not simply with meaning, but more with notions like justice or reason, for which our inability to provide principles may well reflect ignorance and muddle. On the first issue, see akrasia
.
The more common usage refers to an object or idea whose very existence, or acknowledgment, is a paradox
Paradox
Similar to Circular reasoning, A paradox is a seemingly true statement or group of statements that lead to a contradiction or a situation which seems to defy logic or intuition...
. Its name is derived from a quote of Socrates
Socrates
Socrates was a classical Greek Athenian philosopher. Credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, he is an enigmatic figure known chiefly through the accounts of later classical writers, especially the writings of his students Plato and Xenophon, and the plays of his contemporary ...
from the Republic, where he says, "I know nothing at all
I know that I know nothing
"I know one thing, that I know nothing" is a well-known saying that is derived from Plato's account of the Greek philosopher Socrates...
." The question that arises is how he knows that he knows nothing, if this is the only information he possesses. A more well-known Socratic paradox would be the phrase, "this sentence is false
Liar paradox
In philosophy and logic, the liar paradox or liar's paradox , is the statement "this sentence is false"...
."
The secondary usage refers to statements of Socrates
Socrates
Socrates was a classical Greek Athenian philosopher. Credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, he is an enigmatic figure known chiefly through the accounts of later classical writers, especially the writings of his students Plato and Xenophon, and the plays of his contemporary ...
that seem contrary to common sense, such as that "no one desires evil." In this usage, the term does not refer to a strict paradox, but rather to either of two surprising and unacceptable conclusions drawn from the Socratic dialogues of Plato: (i) the startling consequence of Socrates' association of knowledge and virtue, according to which nobody ever does wrong knowingly; (ii) the view that nobody knows what they mean when they use a term unless they can provide an explicit definition of it. Although this last is sometimes called the Socratic fallacy, this can be regarded as being uncharitable to Socrates, whose concern was not simply with meaning, but more with notions like justice or reason, for which our inability to provide principles may well reflect ignorance and muddle. On the first issue, see akrasia
Akrasia
Akrasia , occasionally transliterated as acrasia, is the state of acting against one's better judgment. The adjective form is "akratic".-Classical approaches:...
.