I don’t know!

Socrates declared that he knew nothing in Plato’s work, “The Apology.” In this work, Socrates is on trial for corrupting the youth of Athens and for impiety, or not believing in the gods of Athens. During his trial, Socrates was given the opportunity to defend himself and explain his beliefs to the jury..

When asked about his wisdom and knowledge, Socrates responded with the famous declaration, “I know that I am intelligent because I know that I know nothing.” He believed that recognizing one’s own ignorance was the first step to true wisdom and that his method of questioning was meant to encourage others to seek knowledge for themselves. Socrates’ philosophy emphasized humility and a willingness to learn, inspiring generations.

As human beings, we often strive to be knowledgeable and well-informed. We want to have answers to everything and often find it hard to admit when we don’t know something. Yet, saying “I don’t know” can be one of the most important and difficult things we can say, both for ourselves and for others.

Saying “I don’t know” can be a powerful catalyst for curiosity, prompting us to seek out new information and expand our knowledge. However, I understand that saying it out loud makes us feel little, ashamed and our hurts the ego, but at the same time, it can be a great motivator for learning. This can lead to personal growth, intellectual stimulation, and a deeper understanding of the world around us.

“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge” – Stephen Hawking

Growing up with Asian parents, I had difficulty admitting things that I am not sure were considered inappropriate behavior. They would ask you random questions on a random topic and expect you to give the lengthy answer with the most recent data. Otherwise, you will be accused of your knowledge, degree, and schooling, including your brain. Just kidding, yet true in certain scenarios. In the tech era, all the platforms have been loaded with information and it is quite impossible to know and remember everything at all times.

There was some point in my life when I realized like I didn’t have to pretend about the things that I didn’t know. I was hesitant in the beginning, but I am saying it often these days. This helped me know, learn more, grow personally, and break down barriers between people.

“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.” – Albert Einstein.

Admitting that we don’t know can be a liberating experience, freeing us from the pressure to have all the answers and allowing us to be more comfortable with uncertainty. After all, nothing is certain.

Cheers!