If Everyone Believes It, It's Probably Wrong - The Philosophy of Socrates (& Plato)

In this video, we follow the lives and philosophies of two of individuals who are widely regarded as the first 'true' philosophers in western history, Socrates and Plato. As the two began to breakdown the consensus of knowledge through the first real practice of critical questioning, they would change the course of human thinking forever.

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[wonderbred]

I’m 90% done with my BA in philosophy. I often get asked “what are you gonna do with that degree?” “You can really only be a teacher.” I have no real plans with the degree, I want to become a tattoo artist. But I have my degree payed for and I wanted to pursue something that would open my eyes to the world. I can 100% say philosophy has done that. Perspective is something a lot of people in this world lack but once you find it, it truly makes you see everything differently. I want to travel the world and experience different cultures. This degree plan has set an amazing foundation for me to continue learning in life

[anastaschoudra]

Socrates was also deeply interested in understanding the limits of human knowledge. When he was told that the Oracle at Delphi had declared that he was the wisest man in Athens, Socrates balked until he realized that, although he knew nothing, he was (unlike his fellow citizens) keenly aware of his own ignorance. He became so furious at this statement that he tried his hardest to prove the Oracle wrong, going about challenging all men thought to be wise. In his attempt to do so, he proved her right.

In 399 B.C., Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth of Athens and of impiety, or heresy. He chose to defend himself in court.

Rather than present himself as wrongly accused, Socrates declared he fulfilled an important role as a gadfly, one who provides an important service to his community by continually questioning and challenging the status quo and its defenders.

The jury was not swayed by Socrates' defense and convicted him by a vote of 280 to 221. Possibly the defiant tone of his defense contributed to the verdict and he made things worse during the deliberation over his punishment. It was in court that Socrates allegedly uttered the now-famous phrase, “the unexamined life is not worth living.”

Athenian law allowed a convicted citizen to propose an alternative punishment to the one called for by the prosecution and the jury would decide. Instead of proposing he be exiled, Socrates suggested he be honored by the city for his contribution to their enlightenment and be paid for his services.

The jury was not amused and sentenced him to death by drinking a mixture of poison hemlock.
Before Socrates' execution, friends offered to bribe the guards and rescue him so he could flee into exile.

He declined, stating he wasn't afraid of death, felt he would be no better off if in exile and said he was still a loyal citizen of Athens, willing to abide by its laws, even the ones that condemned him to death. He knew that he could either die in the streets alone as an old man, or for his beliefs.

Socrates described his death as a release of the soul from the body.

[betterchapter]

Just imagine being so influential that after 2000 years your ideas are still in use.

[TannerBraungardt]

The analogy about the blocks at the end was great🙌🏼 amazing video

[wintertae]

I still love this voice, it's the best one I've heard. Neutral, yet deep and expressive.

[lmeza]

"A great mind shut down for asking too many questions" a lovely tradition that is alive and well in 2022...

[lamv]

The art and purpose of philosophy is to ask questions that don’t have answer. It is simply to think for the first time In your life about anything that dosnt have meaning to you

[jimmyb]

I once worked for a great singer/chef who would occasionally come up to me and say "Hey do you know what your doing?", I would often reply "Yeah, I sort of know what I am doing", & he would often reply "You don't know". Then one day I had a crazy week went to work, went straight up to him and said "I have no idea what I am doing, I know nothing". He smiled & said "Yeah now your getting it". Great video Pursuit of Wonder. Magnificent

[XDVille]

The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less

[arpityadav]

You videos in the story format are mind-blowing. The ones like 'The Nova effect' or 'Amara effect' are just amazing. I hope you make more like those. Where we have a character and a series of events take place in their life and then we actually feel like our brains were put in a blender like it happens at the end of every video. But all your videos are good and I hope you keep making content.

[bryant]

The problem in Philosophy is that you cannot fully understand or teach it through words only. You need to experience it yourself. There is not enough words that can express what your mind experiences.

[uwakmfonutuk]

"Perhaps by means of the very same thing that cursed humanity with the need to philosophise, we can learn through philosophy to enjoy philosphy's futility" - Such a well crafted sentence!

[Nelster]

Funnily enough, when someone knows they know nothing, they actually end up knowing something. But nevertheless, this paradox is part of the charm that makes this tidbit of wisdom so intriguing.

[DonaldAMisc]

Thank you for sharing that question at 8:40! There are people who are so confident they are out of the cave when in actuality they've merely traded one ideology for another.

[sekito]

Instead of “I know that I know nothing”,
Socrates (quoted by Plato) actually said “I do not pretend to know what I do not know”
Therefore he does state that there are objective truths, but he is keenly aware of the limits of his knowledge

[BackToReality]

Thank you for the work you do, and the impact you make!

[self-inflictedphilosophy]

The more you question, the more you realize that the only answer that makes any sense is to keep questioning. When you stop questioning then the journey for truth comes to an end and stagnation, sloth, and dogmatism rule. Keep things in perspective by accepting that you know less than you think you do and keep questioning.

[misfitskarma]

Me explaining to my parents why I failed the exam:

*"The only true wisdom, is knowing you know nothing"*

[thenegotiator]

I just got into stoicism, and I have been watching your channel for a long time now, so this video seemed like perfect timing for me thanks

[librajedi]

I truly admire the pioneers of deep conscious thought. The level of critical thinking from first principle foundation is literally mind boggling. Speaking for myself, I find it difficult to have my own true stance on philosophy. I agree and disagree with viewpoints varyingly, but it's like I'm never the first one to reach the peak and see the sunrise. The ability to not only have self revelation but to have collective insight of such depth is on a level I can't even dictate. Great video 👍