Project Vision 21

In the Apology of Socrates (23a), Plato presents Socrates explaining that when the Oracle of Delphi declared him the wisest of all human beings, what the oracle really meant was that Socrates' wisdom lay in understanding that "human wisdom is worth little or nothing." Almost two and a half millennia later, this perspective remains profoundly relevant, and we need to recover this wisdom to navigate the challenges of the modern world.

Socrates, who never wrote a book about his thoughts, remains undoubtedly one of the most influential philosophers in Western culture and, very likely, one of the most ambiguous thinkers (if the expression is allowed) due precisely to his capacity for self-knowledge.

When Socrates asserts that the true message from the divinity is that "human wisdom is worth little or nothing," this statement does not express disdain or contempt for human wisdom, but rather laments the fact that, even in that era, and even more so in our own, we have "downgraded" wisdom to something akin to the mere accumulation of knowledge or, worse yet, the ability to achieve certain goals.

In other words, Socrates warns us that the "value" of wisdom does not lie in its potential utility; that is, wisdom is not a "tool" with which "things are done." More strictly speaking, wisdom does not consist of the accumulation of knowledge or the acquisition of technical skills.

For Socrates, recognizing our own ignorance ("I only know I know nothing") and accepting that human wisdom "is worth little or nothing" form the foundations of true wisdom. From this perspective, and by this measure, the "experts" and "intellectuals" of both that time and our own, Socrates would say, are not truly wise.

The reason is clear: we have become so addicted to our own ideas (to recall a phrase by Father Richard Rohr) that we are blinded by our beliefs, knowledge, and skills, to the point of confusing them with wisdom. This ignorance not only ignores itself but is an arrogant ignorance that proclaims itself as wisdom.

In contrast, for Socrates, "the human being emerges as an imperfect entity, but through lifelong learning, humanity can achieve a level of personal fulfillment and completeness," as Fatih Demirci says in the article "Socrates: The Prophet of Lifelong Learning."

"Socrates called his conduct 'philosophy' and himself a 'philosopher,' suggesting that learning is an unceasing quest for knowledge without the intention of reaching an end," adds Demirci.

In the 21st century, the Socratic ideal of the "examined life," the limitations of human wisdom, and the centrality of self-knowledge have profound relevance. As our world becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, the humility to recognize the limits of our understanding and the willingness to continuously question our assumptions are essential qualities for facing the challenges we confront individually and globally.

A self-reflective mindset and the humility and willingness to challenge our preconceptions can lead to meaningful personal growth and informed decision-making, ultimately contributing to more constructive and collaborative solutions to the complex issues facing society today.