Knowledge <-> Wisdom
Questioning Authority
One of greatest lessons we learn from Socrates is that wisdom comes from knowing that we don’t know. He in fact embodied this teaching by making a life of questioning so-called, self-claimed, and well-paid authorities—sophists--in search of wisdom. A sophist is one who uses fallacious arguments with the intention of deceiving.
On the one hand, the internet’s facilitation of anti-intellectualism/scientism and the individualistic focus on self-promotion have given everyone with a computer access to vast knowledge and the feeling of authority.
On the other hand, as Tom Nichols’ book The Death of Expertise makes clear, the decline of respect for those who’ve studied and practiced their craft has fueled a wildfire of false claims and arrogance, often with dire consequences--especially for public policy, as Nichols points out.
Returning to the Socratic lesson—Wisdom comes from knowing that one doesn’t know—observe that to be wise is obviously not simply to lack knowledge. Rather, wisdom consists in a second order understanding of what one does and doesn’t know. Only an imposter would claim authoritative knowledge of something without comprehending the significance, the explanation, or the cause of it.
One of the top issues a business leader will bring me as executive coach is the nagging sense that s/he is an imposter. “Who am I to be in charge?” Once put in the position to govern or manage, one quickly recognizes it’s not just about having the relevant knowledge, it’s also about grasping how to learn, share, and adjust that knowledge, as well as perceiving the best way to empower and coordinate those with know-how. Wisdom understands how knowledge relates to history, context, future, and perhaps even the universe.
Humility dawns: the genuine leader gains respect for the expertise, authority, and wisdom, not only of those who’ve led before us, but also the wisdom of the institution, stretching over many generations.
“What about the danger of misplaced obedience to authority or institution?” you ask. Great question. In Plato’s Apology, Socrates contrasts different types of authority, all problematic, but to varying degrees. The self-proclaimed authority is on shakiest ground, her/his aims being merely self-serving. We can put more faith in the lawful authority, meaning, someone who follows a greater, self-correcting order we share in, like the scientific method or democratic governance.
Socrates told the Athenians his own authority was divine. “Yea, but what if I know of no such divine authority”? Very well: you are practicing knowing that you don’t know. Wise believers practice not knowing, too, including Socrates. He doubted the truth of the Delphic oracle Pythia, who told Chaerephon that no one was wiser than Socrates. Questioning the oracle is what drove Socrates’ life’s mission to seek out and examine the would-be wise.
Like Socrates, let’s not allow our legitimate questions to mire us in subjectivism and hubris, but instead keep learning, and appreciating the higher levels of understanding this opens.
“These are dangerous times. Never have so many people had access to so much knowledge and yet been so resistant to learning anything.” –Tom Nichols, The Death of Expertise