Mia asked:

I have lately been studying Plato's Apology.What exactly does it tell us about Socrates? According to
the Apology,who is a philosopher?

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Although Socrates claims in The Apology"I neither know nor think I know", he also claims to be a
philosopher and teacher. His form of teaching has to be distinguished from the recognised teaching of
the day, which was by orators. An orator assumes he knows what, for instance, virtue and excellence
are and speaks with eloquence on the matter, but has not properly analysed the concepts. Socrates
does not have theories but engages in discussion. When Socrates interrogates, examines and
cross-examines he does not come forth with eloquent speeches, but asks questions and instills those
with whom he engages in dialogue with doubts, making them admit their ignorance. In this way, the
interlocutors, like Socrates, no longer know. An orator can set himself up as a wise man by means of
his eloquent speeches and Socrates derogates this as simply "thinking that you know". Only if you
admit your ignorance will you be in a position to seek wisdom and this is simply because you are
aware that you lack it. Socrates' interlocutors are reduced to ignorance, but his method of discussion
has shown them how to think, so as such he is a teacher.

Rachel Browne