On Wisdom & Knowledge Vocabulary

Humility about one's own ignorance is the beginning of wisdom

“Socrates' insight: confidence in one's knowledge is often the greatest obstacle to learning.”

Origin: Socrates (as recorded by Plato in the Apology)

Consciousness is the one thing that cannot be doubted

“Descartes' foundation: even if all else is illusion, the thinking self must exist.”

Origin: René Descartes, Discourse on the Method (1637)

Reflection and self-knowledge are essential to a meaningful life

“Socrates' defense at his trial—he would rather die than stop philosophizing.”

Origin: Socrates at his trial, as recorded in Plato's Apology

Understanding gives one the ability to act effectively

“Bacon's insight anticipates the Scientific Revolution's faith in knowledge.”

Origin: Francis Bacon, Meditationes Sacrae (1597)

What we can think is bounded by what we can express

“Wittgenstein's insight: expand your vocabulary, expand your world.”

Origin: Ludwig Wittgenstein, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (1921)

Historical ignorance leads to recurring mistakes

“Santayana's warning: study history or relive its errors.”

Origin: George Santayana, The Life of Reason (1905)

The Socratic paradox—awareness of one's own ignorance

“The wisest know how little they know.”

Origin: Socrates, as paraphrased across Plato's dialogues

Truth and value are relative to human perception

“Protagoras' relativism: what is true for you may not be true for me.”

Origin: Protagoras (5th century BCE)