In Euthyphro, Socrates asks the eponymous youth about his definition of piety. The crux of the conversation isn’t germane here, but the result is. The young man fails to define piety in answer to insightful questions by Socrates. Yet, Euthyphro holds the same belief at the end of the conversation that he holds at the beginning. Now, go to the Web, find a running conversation about a controversial topic in a chat room, and trace someone’s comments. What do you notice? Is there a change in position? Is there any truly free-thinking person out there in Commentland that is willing to change his mind?
In Apology, Socrates draws the conclusion that he is, unlike many others, aware of his own ignorance. In those comment sections on the Web, you read the opinions of many who appear to be unaware of their own ignorance. Regardless of the reasoned arguments of their opponents, many online commentators often end in name-calling and ad hominem attacks. Then everyone disappears into cyberspace holding the same beliefs he or she proudly held at the beginning of the discussion.
Euthyphro is still alive and writing online. Socrates with his persistent questioning and openness to self doubt is dead. Just remember that if you are not willing to alter your opinion ever so slightly after hearing a reasonable argument, you might be a reincarnation of Euthyphro, proud, but very likely unaware of you know what.
In Apology, Socrates draws the conclusion that he is, unlike many others, aware of his own ignorance. In those comment sections on the Web, you read the opinions of many who appear to be unaware of their own ignorance. Regardless of the reasoned arguments of their opponents, many online commentators often end in name-calling and ad hominem attacks. Then everyone disappears into cyberspace holding the same beliefs he or she proudly held at the beginning of the discussion.
Euthyphro is still alive and writing online. Socrates with his persistent questioning and openness to self doubt is dead. Just remember that if you are not willing to alter your opinion ever so slightly after hearing a reasonable argument, you might be a reincarnation of Euthyphro, proud, but very likely unaware of you know what.
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