Courage and Knowledge: A Perspective on the Socratic Paradox

Elements of the Socratic method: VI. Promoting virtue in everyday life.

“…In contrast, cowardice is based on ignorance of what is truly dangerous, giving excessive weight to danger to the body instead of to the soul (Wallace, 1978). Courageous acts should be oriented toward important and valuable goals (Seeskin, 1976;Wallace, 1978). Takingunnecessary risks simply to prove one's courage is foolishness (Santas, 1971).…”

“…The courageous person may risk suffering physical injury, financial loss, or social alienation. Most people fear poverty, injury, and death, whereas Socrates viewed damage to one’s moral character as the only danger to be genuinely feared (Seeskin, 1976). Courage is based on knowledge of long-range goals instead of fleeting pains and pleasures (Duncan, 1978).…”

“…Courage does not imply a lack of fear but wisdom (Versenyi, 1963) in the form of knowledge of good and evil (Seeskin, 1976). The courageous person knows when it is important to risk harm (Penner, 1992).…”