Have you ever wondered why people do morally wrong acts? According to one of the greatest teachers of ethics, it’s not because they consciously choose to do so. Instead, it’s due to ignorance.
This teacher believed that if people knew what was right, they would do it. But who was this teacher, and what was his philosophy on morality?
In this article, we’ll explore the teachings of this ancient philosopher and how they can shed light on why people do wrong things. Join us as we delve into the mind of Socrates and uncover his insights into human behavior.
Why Do People Do Morally Wrong Acts According To Socrates
Socrates believed that people do morally wrong acts out of ignorance. He claimed that people cannot consciously choose wrong deeds, because they know what is right and wrong. In his view, people always choose what they think is the best or good for them.
Socrates was a great teacher of ethics, but he did not tell his audience how they should live. Instead, he taught a method of inquiry. When people claimed to know what justice, piety, temperance, or law was, Socrates would ask them to give an account, which he would then show was entirely inadequate.
Because his method of inquiry threatened conventional beliefs, Socrates’ enemies contrived to have him put to death on a charge of corrupting the youth of Athens. For those who thought that adherence to the conventional moral code was more important than the cultivation of an inquiring mind, the charge was appropriate.
By conventional standards, Socrates was indeed corrupting the youth of Athens, though he himself considered the destruction of beliefs that could not stand up to criticism as a necessary preliminary to the search for true knowledge.
In this respect, Socrates differed from the Sophists, with their ethical relativism. He thought that virtue is something that can be known and that the virtuous person is the one who knows what virtue is. It is therefore not entirely accurate to regard Socrates as contributing a method of inquiry but as having no positive views of his own.
He believed that virtue could be known, though he himself did not profess to know it. He also thought that anyone who knows what virtue is will necessarily act virtuously. Those who act badly, therefore, do so only because they are ignorant of or mistaken about the real nature of virtue.
Who Was Socrates And What Was His Philosophy On Morality?
Socrates was a philosopher who lived in ancient Greece and is widely regarded as one of the founders of Western philosophy. He believed that morality was not subjective and that there were objective moral standards that could be discovered through inquiry. He rejected the moral relativism of the Sophists and argued that there were right and wrong answers to moral questions that went beyond mere opinion and popular sentiment.
Socrates believed that knowledge of definitions was fundamental to morality. He thought that the possibility of moral behavior depended on knowledge of definitions and that virtue is knowledge. According to Socrates, if someone knows what is right, they will do what is right. Therefore, knowing a Socratic definition is necessary and sufficient for moral behavior.
Socrates claimed that until someone knows what a thing is, they cannot answer any other questions about it. This means that any inquiry into any moral question presupposes an answer to the relevant “What is X?” question. In the Meno, Socrates claims that you cannot answer a question about virtue (“Can it be taught?”) until you have answered a more fundamental question: “What is it?”
The Role Of Ignorance In Doing Morally Wrong Acts
Socrates’ belief that people do morally wrong acts out of ignorance is an interesting perspective on the issue. According to him, people cannot consciously choose wrong deeds because they know what is right and wrong. It is their lack of knowledge or understanding that leads them to make the wrong choices.
This view is supported by the idea of the Veil of Ignorance, which is a tool used to help people envision a fair society by pretending they are ignorant of their personal circumstances. This suggests that ignorance plays a significant role in determining what is considered morally right or wrong.
Furthermore, Socrates’ belief that virtue can be known and that the virtuous person is the one who knows what virtue is, suggests that ignorance can also lead to a lack of virtue. Those who act badly, therefore, do so only because they are ignorant of or mistaken about the real nature of virtue.
However, it is important to note that ignorance may not always be a legitimate excuse for morally wrong behavior. As seen in the example of the sugar and arsenic jars, ignorance cannot always absolve someone of blame for their actions.
Socrates’ Belief In The Importance Of Knowledge And Education
Socrates believed that knowledge and education were crucial in the pursuit of virtue. He argued that people who act morally wrong do so because they lack knowledge or understanding of what is truly good and just. This belief is reflected in his famous quote, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates believed that individuals should constantly examine their beliefs and actions in order to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
According to Socrates, education was the key to acquiring knowledge and wisdom. He believed that education should not just be about memorizing facts, but rather about developing critical thinking skills and the ability to question assumptions. Socrates believed that true knowledge could only be gained through inquiry and discussion, rather than through passive acceptance of what others say.
Socrates also believed that education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of social class or natural talents. He argued that anyone could become virtuous through the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. This belief was reflected in his interactions with people from all walks of life, including slaves and aristocrats.
Examples Of Socrates’ Teachings On Morality And Ethics
Socrates believed that morality and ethics were fundamental to human behavior. He claimed that until a person knows what a thing is, they cannot answer any other questions about it. Therefore, any inquiry into any moral question presupposes an answer to the relevant “What is X?” question.
Socrates believed that the possibility of morality and moral behavior depended on knowledge of definitions. He thought that virtue is knowledge, and if a person knows what is right, they will do what is right. Knowing a Socratic definition is thus necessary and sufficient for moral behavior.
According to Socrates, people do morally wrong acts out of ignorance. He claimed that people cannot consciously choose wrong deeds because they know what is right and wrong. In his view, people always choose what they think is the best or good for them.
Socrates also believed that the distinction between virtue and self-interest was not made in ancient Greece in the clear-cut manner that it is today. The Greeks believed that virtue is good both for the individual and for the community. To be sure, they recognized that living virtuously might not be the best way to prosper financially, but they did not assume, as people are prone to do today, that material wealth is a major factor in whether a person’s life goes well or ill.
Conclusion: Understanding Morality Through The Eyes Of Socrates
In conclusion, Socrates believed that people do morally wrong acts out of ignorance or mistaken beliefs. He argued that people always choose what they think is the best or good for them, and that they cannot consciously choose wrong deeds if they know what is right and wrong. Socrates also believed that virtue could be known, and that the virtuous person is the one who knows what virtue is. He thought that those who act badly do so only because they are ignorant of or mistaken about the real nature of virtue.
Socrates’ method of inquiry threatened conventional beliefs, and his enemies accused him of corrupting the youth of Athens. However, Socrates himself considered the destruction of beliefs that could not stand up to criticism as a necessary preliminary to the search for true knowledge.
Overall, Socrates’ teachings provide a unique perspective on morality and ethics. His belief in the importance of self-reflection and inquiry challenges us to examine our own beliefs and actions, and to strive towards a more virtuous life.
