I had the pleasure of reading Plato’s ‘Apologia’ during my Intro to Philosophy class with Dr. Mashburn last semester. And truly, it was a pleasure to read such material. Socrates’ approach to information-gathering is as close to objective as we will probably ever know. It’s quite possible that his approach was completely objective, but the idea that “objectivity is impossible to achieve” has been grounded and proven so strongly for so long that for most, this notion would be laughable – even when reviewing material that includes a conversation with Socrates. Nonetheless, it is evident that Socrates likes to question. What I’m curious about is if his questioning actually attains him knowledge. I wonder if he remembers the details of conversations he has had with others in the past. In-line with that and on another notion, I then wonder, since he remembers information shared during a conversation initially, if he keeps or disposes of that information when proven wrong/inaccurate/incomplete due to the fact that it is not ‘knowledge’
I’m looking forward to the rest of the read. Hopefully questions like will be answerable provided there are times when Socrates has to reflect on a past argument.
Now I just wonder what the question mark count would be in Plato’s ‘The Republic’. I’m awfully curious, as well as disturbed, by the thought.
P.S. I commented on Rebekah's post 'Is it all about Justice?'
You and I know ALL about objectivity, and I wish I could be objective more often, but I'm a stubborn male, so that is difficult. If we could remember all of the argument that we have had, as human beings, then life might be easier. Then again, I just wish that we all had better memories sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI personally think that when you ask a question and get an answer, that the answer received usually has even more questions attached. Thus begins the vicious cycle of learning how much you don't know.
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