NO ONE KNOWINGLY DOES WRONG: AN IMPERATIVE OF SOCRATIC PARADOX

Abstract

This paper extols the virtue of moral goodness as the only way to secure human happiness. Socrates taught that the good consists of a state of happiness which evolves from useful actions. For an act to be good, it must first be useful, that is, useful in the sense that it is in agreement with one’s purpose in life and therefore is appropriate to the true goal of man. For Socrates, the good deeds bring success and genuine happiness, whereas evil deeds bring failure and misfortune. The very act of doing good constitutes happiness. So, it is in the light of this trajectory, that he reinforces his conviction that no one knowingly does wrong. If you know what is right you will do it outrightly, willingly and effortlessly, with the spontaneity and motivation necessary for achieving what is good. Virtue is in disposition of the knowledge of the good; and consequently whoever is virtuous must be knowledgeable. Similarly, whoever is enlightened must be virtuous. Thus, it is against this backdrop that our central task in writing this paper will be to evaluate the synergy of cooperation of consciousness between the subjectivity and objectivity of knowledge. While the Sophists believed in the subjectivity of conduct, by advocating moral choices based upon the individual’s feelings or desire. Socrates, here on the other hand sought objectivity as a valid principle which could be used to guide the actions of all mankind. So, for Socrates, knowledge meant truths that have been provided in an objective basis for directing human activity so that man would become efficient and virtuous, understand correctly his true calling in life, and attain happiness. The finding of the study therefore, supports the thesis that, no one willingly does wrong. To live is not itself an evil, as has been claimed, but to live a worthless life is. Socrates quintessentially, in this regards, believed in human excellence (virtue). Virtue is knowledge or wisdom in which we act efficiently to the truth. This idea of course seems contrary to our expectations, for me, we have ample experience that a person with full knowledge, can do wrong. So, how is it, then, that a virtue is knowledge?