The Socratic Oath: First, I Know Nothing

A simple pledge of humility with the goal of furthering discourse, wisdom, and personal understanding.

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.

Socrates

Socrates has influenced many things in my own life. Broadly speaking, he is the father of discourse and as such, I am a fan. You know, father’s have to stick together.

This “oath” hit me last night as I was struggling to sleep. Against my better judgement, I continued to struggle to sleep instead of getting up and writing it. It does appear, however, that at some point I made a note of it in my phone. Thank goodness I listened to that voice inside me at some point, even if I don’t remember it.

I feel woefully unqualified to be putting this out there, but I also feel compelled to do so just the same. I am not a scholar. I am not a theologian. I am not an intellectual, a professor, a thought leader or any such thing. I am not even a college graduate. I am but a Dad afraid for the future I am leaving my children.

I’ll try and do this justice:

---

The Socratic Oath

I, Andrew Ussery, as a seeker of truth and knowledge, pledge to uphold the following principles in my pursuit of discourse and learning:

1. Humility and Open-mindedness

   I will recognize the limits of my own knowledge and maintain an open mind, ready to learn from others and to question my own assumptions and beliefs.

2. Intellectual Honesty

   I will pursue truth and understanding with honesty, integrity, and intellectual rigor, and I will acknowledge when I do not know something or when I have made a mistake.

3. Respectful Discourse

   I will engage in discussions with respect and empathy, listening to others with an open heart, acknowledging their experiences and perspectives, and striving to understand their positions, even when I disagree.

4. The Socratic Method

   I will employ the Socratic method of questioning, asking thoughtful, probing questions to help others examine their beliefs and assumptions, fostering a deeper understanding for all parties involved.

5. Encourage Critical Thinking

   I will promote critical thinking and intellectual curiosity in myself and others, encouraging the exploration of diverse ideas, perspectives, and beliefs.

6. Pursuit of Truth and Wisdom

   I will strive for truth and wisdom in all aspects of life, understanding that knowledge is an ongoing journey and that seeking wisdom is a lifelong endeavor.

7. Commitment to Personal Growth

   I will recognize the importance of continuous self-improvement, both intellectually and morally, and commit to a lifelong pursuit of learning and personal growth.

8. Service to Others

   I will use my knowledge and understanding to serve others, fostering a sense of community, shared humanity, and mutual respect in all my interactions.

By taking this oath, I dedicate myself to the pursuit of truth, knowledge, and wisdom, and I commit to upholding the principles of the Socratic method in all aspects of my life. May my actions and words contribute to a more thoughtful, compassionate, and enlightened world.

---

I encourage anyone that feels similar to use this as well, wherever they may. I care little for notoriety or popularity here, I am simply worried our current level of discourse will lead to destruction and ruin. Of which my children will need to pick up the pieces. They should not have to.

Love,

Dad

Enjoy this piece? I have many others! The archives are paywalled, but worth it. I am working on many things simultaneously that may be of interest as well, so be sure to stay tuned!