Riddle Me This

Cavell and the Structure of Socratic Ignorance

Abstract

I want to talk briefly about the structure of Socratic Ignorance. I start with Socrates’ fateful visit to Delphi. Although I know the story is familiar to many, let’s reorient ourselves on it, on the famous Apology passage, the passage in which Socrates reveals his ignorance. Socrates’ story starts at Delphi, and with Chaerephon, always a headlong Peter to Socrates’ Christ, foolishly rushing ahead when the wiser stop and put off the shoes from their feet. Socrates tells the court about Chaerephon’s impetuous question to the Oracle and the Oracle’s initially impenetrable answer. Socrates calls the answer a riddle.