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The Definition Of Knowledge In Socrates 'Theaetetus'

Decent Essays

In this dialogue, Plato writes about a conversation between an old Socrates, and a young student Theaetetus (who would later become a legendary warrior and leader). The purpose of this dialogue was to determine what knowledge was, and then to assert a final claim as to the true definition of knowledge. Socrates poses the question as to what knowledge is, to Theaetetus, who provides four definitions; each of which (except the final definition) is dismantled by Socrates in order to push for a clearer definition. The definitions provided are as follows: knowledge is a list of learned subjects, knowledge is perception, knowledge is true judgment, and finally, knowledge is true Judgement with an account. Theaetetus’ first attempt at defining knowledge is claiming that knowledge is simply a list of learned subjects at school (geometry, arithmetic, astronomy, etc). Socrates believes this is an especially incorrect definition as this definition of knowledge is merely a list of subjects or examples of knowledge, not knowledge itself. There are a few key problems with this argument. The first is that socrates was looking for the one thing common with all of those examples of knowledge, not the varieties of knowledge. Second, this definition is circular in nature. If someone knows that carpentry is knowledge of how to build homes, they wouldn’t be able to know what carpentry is unless they know what knowledge is first. Third, this answer is just two long to be a definition, it should

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