Socrates and Determinism

Socrates and Determinism

Instructions:

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1. Explain the meaning of “Socratic Irony”. What is ironic about Socrates’ “wisdom”? ,How does this reflect his approach to philosophical questions; i.e. his method?

2. Draw out the argument for determinism., Why do determinists deny the existence of human freedom? Explain how this complicates or altogether undermines the possibility of ethics.

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1. Explain the meaning of “Socratic Irony.” What is ironic about Socrates’ “wisdom”? How does this reflect his approach to philosophical questions, i.e., his method?

Socratic irony refers to the method Socrates famously employed in dialogues—especially as portrayed by Plato—where he pretends to be ignorant or less knowledgeable than his interlocutors in order to expose their misunderstandings or unfounded assumptions. This irony lies in the fact that although Socrates claims to know nothing, he often ends up demonstrating that others know even less, or that their “knowledge” is based on faulty reasoning or vague definitions.

The ironic aspect of Socrates’ wisdom comes directly from the Oracle of Delphi’s statement that “no one is wiser than Socrates.” Socrates, puzzled by this, set out to find someone wiser than himself. In doing so, he questioned politicians, poets, and craftsmen—people assumed to have wisdom in various domains. He discovered that while these individuals often believed themselves wise, they could not defend their beliefs or explain their expertise consistently. Socrates concluded that he was “wise” only in that he recognized his own ignorance, whereas others falsely believed they possessed true knowledge.

This realization reflects Socrates’ approach to philosophy, known as the Socratic Method. This method involves dialectical questioning—posing probing questions to examine beliefs, definitions, and values. Socrates never presents himself as a teacher with answers; instead, he acts as a midwife (as in Plato’s Theaetetus), helping others give birth to their own ideas, only to test and often refute them. The irony is central: by claiming ignorance, Socrates challenges others to critically examine their own supposed knowledge.

Ultimately, Socratic irony serves not just as a rhetorical technique but as a profound philosophical stance. It emphasizes humility in the pursuit of truth and the idea that genuine wisdom begins with the acknowledgment of one’s own limitations.

2. Draw out the argument for determinism. Why do determinists deny the existence of human freedom? Explain how this complicates, or altogether undermines, the possibility of ethics.

Determinism is the philosophical view that every event, action, and decision is the result of preceding causes and conditions, governed by the laws of nature. In other words, given the state of the world at any moment and the laws of physics, only one future is possible. This means all human actions are predetermined by prior states of the universe, including one’s biology, upbringing, and environmental influences.

The core argument for determinism can be broken down into a few steps: