Valentino Ulysses Stoll

Civilizations: Ancient and Medieval

 Knowledge has become a very important and powerful tool of survival and

understanding of oneself. Through the understanding of ourselves and our

surrounding, we generally become better people both morally and physically. As

Plato succinctly put it, “knowledge is virtue.” Knowledge is the key to

understanding that which is both known and unfathomable. Some would argue,

however, that with the use of knowledge people only end up hurting themselves,

other people, and or their surrounding. However, knowledge is not the cause of

such behavior. It is the use of knowledge where most become lost. In Plato’s

writings, mainly The Last Days of Socrates, he frequently discusses the

importance and significance of knowledge through his characters. Plato’s

instructor, Socrates, consistently argued with his fellow colleagues in search for

an absolute meaning. Generally, the conversation usually consisted of a series

of manipulations ending with the question unanswered. However, it seems

Socrates never really searched for an answer, simply an understanding. Some

questions need not pure answers, but answers that give a general understanding

of possibilities. Through knowledge, people can achieve an understanding.

Socrates also says that if virtue is good, and if knowledge includes everything

that is good, then virtue is a part of knowledge. If virtue is a quality of the soul,

and if virtue is advantageous to our well-being, then it must include wisdom,

since if it were used unwisely it would be harmful to our well-being.

Princeton’s WordNet, quite accurately defines knowledge as: the

psychological result of perception and learning and reason. Plato searches for

the veracity of this definition through Socrates. Socrates attempts to define

knowledge with help from Meno. Although no definition could be derived for

knowledge, Socrates and Meno create a web of ideas and understanding.

Socrates argues that knowledge is attained through another lifetime. He does

this through demonstration. He takes a slave boy with no prior knowledge of

math, and leads him through a series of steps that make the boy find the answer

on his own. He thus explains that this knowledge must have been previously

attained in the soul and as the body observes and learns, the mind is simply

remembering the knowledge. Ironically, his conclusion is attributed to the

unknown world of spirituality. Although creating a slightly inaccurate definition,

he recognizes the goodness of knowledge in saying that knowledge is, in a way,

run by the gods.

Socrates began his analysis of virtue. “…all right conduct depends on

clear knowledge….not only does a definition of virtue aid us in acquiring that

virtue, but that the definition of the virtue is the virtue.” (Malaspina) Simply

making things more complicated, Socrates attempts to explain that virtue can

only be defined by itself. In other words, what is truly good is known to all

through instinct. This instinct is given to us by the gods; concluding that virtue is

divinity. Plato’s theory of “knowledge is virtue” is derived primarily on the basis

of the gods. For virtue, in the eyes of Plato, is divine. What is truly good is

defined by the gods. Socrates consistently argues with others only to result in

Plato’s conclusion.

Knowledge plays an important role in teaching the youth; the future of our

civilization. Children around the world are taught about life through the past
collected knowledge of a boundless history. It is with this knowledge that

everyone bases their actions. Although this knowledge is not the same for each

individual, a defining sense of what is right and wrong is known by all. For the

past few centuries, however, the defining terms for what is morally right has been

fairly flexible. Equality, for instance, only recently has become a virtue. For

many centuries the human species was divided, and in some cases still is today.

People acquired realizations generation after generation to more accurately

define goodness in its purest form. The more knowledgeable society became,

the more virtuous it became; and visa versa, “wealth does not bring goodness,

but goodness brings wealth.” (The Last Days of Socrates: 30b)

Knowledge is the creator of understanding. Through knowledge, an

individual creates understandings for life’s mysteries and certainties. These

understandings, however, are commonly misinterpreted; often leading to

disastrous outcomes of hatred and destruction. However, as Socrates stated,

with the right teacher, knowledge can be quite virtuous. The importance of

knowledgeable, well educated teachers is thus very significant to correctly

represent true virtue. Because virtue can only be defined by the virtue itself,

incorrect teachings could restate virtue to a less civilized definition. The effect of

such teachings exists today in many parts of society. For example, issues of gun

control. In some parts of the United Sates, guns are of common use and

possession. It is through generations of teachings that people living in such

areas find this possession a necessity and way of life. In contrast, those living in

areas with little to no possession of firearms, feel guns should be outlawed and
are shunned in society. Similarly, the death sentence is a perfect result from

centuries of incorrect teachings. This practice is taken directly from ancient

Humerabi, and his “eye for an eye” policy. We have long since discontinued this

form of “governing” society. Nonetheless, this policy has managed to survive

century after century; simply because we have failed to teach youth its vindictive

quality. Through the correct teachings of knowledge, society will learn to

overcome its problems.

Some would argue that knowledge can bring maliciousness and hostility.

For example, the knowledge of the atomic bomb created massive destruction. If

no knowledge of bomb were to exist, then it wouldn’t be capable of such

destruction. Similarly, the knowledge of power has created chaos for centuries.

The thrive for absolute control continues to disrupt individuals and society today.

However, the atomic bomb is only destructive if it is used. Power only creates

chaos if used improperly. The reason for their use is not from the mere

knowledge, but from human emotions creating an affirmative action. These

emotions are caused by instincts that are incorporated into the mind at birth. It is

the improper use and knowledge of these instincts that cause the mind to act

inappropriately and uncivilized. Knowledge is not an emotion, but rather an

instinct to collect information and understanding. Knowledge cannot force an

action upon an individual; although, an individual can force knowledge upon an

action.

Knowledge creates change. With proper knowledge, society, and life in

general, can be improved. The more knowledge attained, the more change
occurs. For instance, our knowledge of sickness and diseases has aided us in

improving our health. The more we know about sickness, the more we can cure

it and improve life. Of course, change is not always for the better.

Misunderstandings of knowledge can lead to misguided actions. For instance,

The uncertainty is a very important part of society. The only knowledge

we posses of the supernatural is through religion. It is through religion that

people generally gain knowledge of uncertainties. Socrates famous words

before his death, explain the situation.

Death is one of two things. Either it is annihilation, and the dead

have no consciousness of anything, or, as we are told, it is really a

change: a migration of the soul from this place to another. Now if

there is no consciousness but only a dreamless, sleep, death must

be a marvelous gain. (The Last Days of Socrates: 40c-d).

The perplexity of death defies all understanding. However, understanding is held

within the virtues of religion. In this case, virtues create knowledge of

uncertainty. Thus knowledge is the creation of virtue

Through knowledge we make improvements both physically and mentally.

With knowledge, we can identify problems and solve them appropriately.

However, new problems also arise with knowledge. These problems occur not

from the knowledge itself, but from the individuals use and actions of knowledge.

Nonetheless, the simple knowledge of such problems creates vision of a solution.

Plato was right, “knowledge is virtue.”

 Bibliography

Malaspina. http://www.malaspina.com/site/person_503.asp.

Meno. Plato. Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company,

1949.

The Last Days of Socrates. Plato. Translated by Hugh Tredennick and Harold Tarrant.
New York: Penguin Putnam Inc., 1993