For Work / Against Work
Debates on the centrality of work

Plato's Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo

by Plato (2017)

Abstract

Key Passage

So I ended up going to the artisans, das I was aware that I understood nothing so to speak, whereas I knew that I’d find that they understood a lot of fine things. And in this I was not mistaken and indeed they understood things I didn’t, and in this respect they were wiser than me. But, my fellow Athenians, it seemed to me that these fine craftsmen had the same shortcoming as the poets—because each of them practiced his craft well, he considered himself very wise in other highly important subjects as well—and this error of theirs concealed what wisdom they had. Consequently I asked myself on behalf of the oracle whether I should accept that I am what I am, being neither wise in any way in their kind of wisdom nor ignorant in their kind of ignorance, or have both qualities, as they do. So I replied to myself and the oracle that it would be to my advantage to be as I am. (p.125)

Keywords

Artisan, Craftsmanship, Plato, Ancient Greece

Themes

Plato Citations, Ancient Greece

Links to Reference

Translator

William, E. J.

Citation

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