Socrates

Socrates, the Greek philosopher (469 BC - 399 BC), influenced the Western philosophy and became one of the founders of the Western philosophy. He did not write any of his teaching. However, there were recorded by his students. Socrates reformed the Western Philosophy; especially he influenced his time philosophers and people. It passed to other generation. There were some criticisms on his thoughts. Even though, his contributions are valuable. His thoughts on ethics and Socrates Method enlightened people to think from blind side. He became legend by his death. He was sentenced to death and he had chances to avid death. He accepted death instead of rejecting his own philosophical thoughts. It made him as a living example of values of philosophy even after death. More than 2400 years passed, but Socrates lives in philosophical world and hearts of people.

He was an amazing thinker and he was excellent in making people to think. Socrates’ famous quote “I know that I know nothing” is a wonderful example to reshape your thoughts if you think deeply. It is a simple, short and ordinary phrase, but it has hidden powerful thought.

Socrates

Socrates : facts in nutshell

Greek name	Σωκράτης
Gender	Male
Born	469 / 470 BC
Died	399 BC
Birth place	Alopece, Athens, Greece
Residence place	Athens, Greece
Age of death	71
Nature of death	Sentence to death (Poisoned)
Nationality	Athenian
Father	Sophroniscus (sculptor)
Mother	Phaenarete (midwife)
Spouse	Xanthippe
No. of children	Three (male)
Name of the children	Lamprocles, Sophroniscus and Menexenus
Occupation	Philosopher (teacher)
Other profession	Sculptor & Solider
Era	Ancient Philosophy
Region	Western philosophy
School	Classic Greek
Teacher of Socrates	Anaxagoras
Previous subject	Cosmology
Religion	Atheism
Main interests	Epistemology, Ethics
Famous Quote	I know that I know nothing
Subsequent influenced	Western philosophy
Notable ideas	Socratic Method, Socratic irony
Other ideas	Socratic dialogue, Socratic questioning, Socratic paradox & Socratic problem
Specifically influenced	Plato, Aristotle, Aristippus, Antisthenes
Disciples	Plato, Xenophon, Antisthenes & Aristippus
Written book	None

Socrates famous quote in various versions

I was interested see the Socrates famous quote in various versions or various languages. We know the quote is “I know one thing, that I know nothing”. It is simplified as “I know that I know nothing”. However, there are various translations of the original ancient Greek word - ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα hèn oîda hóti oudèn oîda. I browsed the internet I found the various translations.

• “As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.”
• “I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.”
• “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
• “I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.”
• “To know, is to know that you know nothing.”
• “I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.”
• “One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing.”
• “True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing.”

I was curious to know the quote in various languages, and I have the eagerness to spread the golden quote to all people. Here are most used and influenced languages and the famous phrase. I could not add a few languages as it was hard to get the translation. I hope to update if someone is interested to do the translation.

Ancient Greek	ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα hèn oîda hóti oudèn oîda
Arabic	وأنا أعلم أنني لا يعرفون شيئا
Bengali	আমি জানি আমি তেমন কিছু জানেন না
Bulgarian	Аз знам, че нищо не знам
Bavarian	I woass, dass i nix woass
Chinese	我知道，我什么都不知道
Dutch	Ik weet dat ik niets weet
Finnish	Tiedän, etten tiedä mitään
French	Je sais que je ne sais rien
Georgian	არცოდნის ცოდნა
German	Ich weiß, dass ich nichts weiß
Hebrew	אני יודע שאני לא יודע דבר
Hindi	मुझे पता है कि मैं कुछ भी नहीं पता
Italian	So che non so nulla
Japanese	私は何も知らないことを知っている
Korean	내가 아는 게 없다는 것을 알고
Latin	scio me nihil scire or scio me nescire
Persian	دانم که ندانم
Polish	Wiem, że nic nie wiem
Portuguese	Eu sei que nada sei
Russian	Я знаю, что ничего не знаю
Serbian	Знам да ништа не знам
Spain	Solo sé que no sé nada
Tamil	எனக்கு எதுவுமே தெரியாது என்பதுதான் எனக்குத் தெரியும்
Telugu	నాకు తెలుసు నాకు ఏమి తెలియదు

Socratic Method

Socratic Method would help to measure the Socrates’ famous quote - I know that I know nothing. Socrates never introduced the Socratic Method. The method was derived after him from his teachings. It is well known in academic field and it is customized to help students in various fields such as law, psychotherapy, human resource management, human resource training, teaching and etc. Therefore, the method will help us to explore further on Socrates quote. 

What is Socratic Method?

Simply I can say the Socratic Method is answer(s) of your questions. You do not need to search truth outside, but find inside. The method can be applicable between individuals. Based on critical thinking, the truth seeking can be opposed by questioning and answering. It can be a debate, contradiction, offense or defense. However, it should lead to find the answer from various aspects & facts.  The aim is to find the truth, not to confuse and come to wrong conclusion.

Socratic Method in psychotherapy

I would like to share a few words about Socratic Method in psychotherapy. It is simple and has in-depth meaning. If someone wants to find the answer for his problem, the person has to raise so many useful questions. When more questions arise, there are more answers and possibility of solutions. A simple example is illustrated here. 

Why I’m unorganized? Because, I have lot of distractions.
Can’t I deliver from them? I can, but I’m not initiated.
Why? I don’t know how to do.
Can I get help? Yes, I can.
Who can help me? Psychotherapist can help me.

I know that I know nothing

What do you know? What you do not know? Do you know yourself? If you firstly understand about yourself, then you have the potentiality to find outside. Sometimes it is hard to understand ourselves. We have contradiction on our own thoughts. Yesterday, we were leftist, and today rightist. Once upon a day, you were an atheist, and today you are a devotee. We chance as per the influence from inside & outside. Who we are? Continues changes prevent to come to a conclusion. I imagined many times that how I can say “I know”. Do I know who am I? If I am not perfect to know about myself, how could it be possible to know others? I moved several times by Socrates’ words “I know that I know nothing” and wondered how true it is.