continuation of apology 

Overview and core theme

• Class continues from last session on Socrates’ reputation for wisdom and his distinction between divine vs. human wisdom.
• Central idea: true wisdom for Socrates is knowing that one does not know; not a claim of total ignorance but awareness of the limits of knowledge relative to what can be known, especially divine wisdom.
• Contrast with Descartes: Socrates does not claim, like Descartes, that the only sure thing is existence itself; instead he emphasizes humility about knowledge and ongoing inquiry toward truth.
• Opening anecdote about Chesterton and the oracle sets up a practical lesson: acknowledge limits, but continue seeking truth rather than retreating into certainty.

Socrates on wisdom and what it means to know

• Socrates’ reputation for wisdom arises from recognizing his own ignorance; he claims human wisdom rather than divine wisdom.
• Meaning of “to know that one does not know”: awareness that there is something to know, but not knowing it yet; what you know is minuscule compared with what can be known; ultimately, what is knowable is far greater than what any one person can possess.
• The scale