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Socratic Sense (Σωκρατική Αίσθηση)
Socratic Sense (Σωκρατική Αίσθηση)

Socratic Sense (Σωκρατική Αίσθηση)

Franc68Lorient Montaner

-From the Meletic Scrolls.

Within each of us lies a faculty that is often taken for granted, a utility that we seldom acknowledge with the weight it deserves. It is called common sense. In the structure of Meleticism, we transcend the mere ordinary notion of common sense and reach towards something far greater that is a universal sense shaped by reasoning, a faculty that distinguishes the thinking mind from the passive one. This faculty is the intellect, and it is through this precise mechanism that we arrive at what can be termed the Socratic sense.

The Socratic sense is not simply a tool of reasoning; it is a profound method of discernment, a way of navigating through the complex relation between truth and illusion, reality and falsehood. It teaches us to differentiate between principles that uphold truth and those that distort it, to refine our perception of knowledge so that we are not misled by superficial understanding. The purpose of wisdom, in this regard, is not just to accumulate knowledge, but to validate and refine it through examination and inquiry.

To possess the Socratic sense is to subject our thoughts, beliefs and assumptions to rigorous scrutiny. It is not enough to know, one must understand why one knows and whether what is known is indeed valid. This is the core of the Socratic method, which is a process of questioning that does not simply seek answers, it refines the mind in the pursuit of clarity. It is the means through which we define our sentience, for our senses are as relevant to our being as our rationality is to our existence.

Consciousness is not a static state; it is a process of becoming, a dynamic unfolding that is developed through the exercise of the Socratic sense. A mind that does not apply its intellect is like a body that refuses to move, because it stagnates, unable to grow or evolve. On the other hand, a mind that embraces intellect does not merely accumulate knowledge for its own sake. Instead, it recognises the established limits of its knowledge.

A wise person does not claim to have the answer to every question. He acknowledges the vastness of the unknown and embraces the challenge of enquiry. It is in this admission of ignorance that wisdom is truly revealed. For wisdom is not about knowing everything; it is about knowing how to seek, how to question, and how to challenge assumptions. It is about having the humility to accept that the journey of understanding never ends.

To apply wisdom practically is not an act of vanity, because it is an acknowledgment of one's humility. The true essence of wisdom is reflected not merely in possessing knowledge, but in understanding what that knowledge represents and how it aligns with truth. The Socratic sense can be cultivated through enquiry and deduction, the same principles upon which the Socratic method is founded.

How we adhere to this method depends largely on our intuitive nature. Some people avoid questioning their own beliefs because they fear the possibility of being wrong. Others embrace enquiry as the path towards to a greater understanding. An unexamined life is one without genuine purpose, for it remains unaware of its own assumptions, contradictions and actual limitations. To examine life is to engage deeply with the reality that surrounds us that is the intricate dynamics of human interactions, the structure of knowledge and the sequences of time that shape our existence.

The presence of reality is not merely an external phenomenon; it is a witness to our evolution as conscious beings. Our nous, the faculty of intellect, serves as the foundation for rational thinking. Logic by itself, is not enough. A person may construct a logical argument, but without intellect, that logic lacks adequate meaning. Logic must be guided by wisdom, by a deeper understanding of principles that go beyond mere technical correctness.

To engage in logic without wisdom is to create hollow arguments, devoid of deeper insight. True reasoning is not just about winning an argument, but about arriving at clarity. It is about making sense of the knowledge we possess, ensuring that what we claim to know is based on understanding, not just on unfounded repetition.

Once we acknowledge that knowledge is limited without wisdom, we come to a pivotal realisation that what we know is not measured by the absence of ignorance, but by the depth of enlightenment that we acquire through experience, reflection and discourse.

There is no greater challenge than that of the mind, and there is no higher level of reasoning than the application of nous. Reasoning provides us with the semblance of a structured perception of things, whilst intellect grants us the ability to understand them rationally. To truly comprehend the Socratic sense, we must engage in the full exploration of our intellectual capacity.

To explore the depths of our thoughts is to unravel the mechanism of the mind. It is to witness how ideas emerge, transform and evolve. Ignorance of the will is far more dangerous than ignorance of the mind, for a person who refuses to seek truth actively resists growth. The moment we begin to ask questions, we embark upon a philosophical journey that leads us towards greater self-awareness.

If life is a question, then (To Ένa) the One is its answer. What does this truly mean? To Ena is not a divine entity nor a mystical force beyond comprehension. It is the unifying principle of universal existence, the singular reality that underlies all things. Philosophers are not prophets of divinity, nor are they bearers of supernatural wisdom. They are seekers, custodians of enquiry, individuals who use their intellect and Socratic sense to navigate the sheer complexity of reality.

The inherent nature of the mind is sufficient to inspire us to seek the fulfilment of our thoughts, but inspiration alone is not sufficient. It must be accompanied by effort and by conscious engagement with the world and with emergent ideas.

Consider a mountain. When we stand at its base and look towards its summit, we recognise both the height of the ascent and the distance between us and the peak. The summit is close to the clouds, although it feels far from our perception. There is only one path to the top, narrow and steep, but not impossible to traverse.

This journey resembles the elevation of the mind. We can choose to ascend, to challenge ourselves, to expand our intellectual horizons. Or we can remain at the base, comfortable, stagnant, unwilling to grow. Some people become mere observers, watching others climb. Others become participants, engaging actively in the process of discovery.

To Ena represents the highest state of being that can be achieved through lucid consciousness. It is the innovative peak of understanding, the ultimate realisation that all things are connected, and that knowledge and wisdom are not separate. Enquiry itself is the importance to enlightenment.

Thus, the Socratic sense is more than just a faculty of thought; it is a way of being. It is a commitment to truth, enquiry and self-awareness. It is the path towards intellectual elevation, a journey that leads not to absolute certainty, but to profound clarity. It is in this journey that we find actual meaning, for it is not the destination that defines us. It is the process of seeking understanding.

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About The Author
Franc68
Lorient Montaner
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26 Dec, 2024
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