Philosophy Now Forum

Daniel Silvermintz wants us to rediscover the virtue of Socratic ignorance.

https://philosophynow.org/issues/136/The_Wisdom_of_Ignorance

Dear Dr. Silvermintz

But the question remains – why should we venerate someone on account of his ignorance?

You have raised a question which has become intolerable for educated polite company and easily can lead to someone being killed. It is far safer to complain about women or cursing out Donald Trump but suggesting ignorance in the company of experts cannot be tolerated.

:Hell hath no fury like an expert scorned" Our education has created the greatest experts so associating them with ignorance is an indication of madness. isolating them by sending them to Timbuktu may be the safest alternative to protect the youth of Athens.

Let sleeping dogs lie unless confronted with someone like Simone Weil whose thoughts disturb the peace. Perish the thought.

Insightfulness is a quality of being wise. So, we have Socrates, the ignorant, and Socrates, the wise, for what can be more insightful than the recognition of one’s own ignorance?

Also, then, what could be more insightful than Socrates’ admonition to discover what is now undiscovered?

As for Dr. Silvermintz’s observation that the answer to any question can be found on the internet: knowledge is the cure for ignorance and understanding is the underpinning of insight, however the internet offers only the former.