Socrates and Sophistry

Socrates, the Classical Greek Philosopher (469 BCE – 399 BCE), was the forefather of questioning dogma. Through the writings of Plato, we understand that Socrates believed in dissecting and deconstructing firmly held beliefs and convictions. He famously invited any members of public to debate with him (including women!!), in order to distil out truth where there appeared to be none, and to start an argument from the position of believing one knew nothing, instead of the other way around.

He is famous for his quote: ‘I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing’. We could do with a bit of Socratic thinking once in a while in medicine.  So much dogma, and well-worn explanations get handed down from textbook to teacher. And they are not always right.  Or believable.

The Socrates and Sophistry section promises many questions. And just maybe, with the input of the many and varied smart LITFL blog readers, possibly answers.  At least we may be able to debunk some of the pat clichés which we have been offered as the explanations for some of the medical conundrums we come up against. Some of these questions may not have answers at all, but better to admit that some things are unknown, rather than the query being patronizingly patted on the head with misinformation

Socrates and Sophistry