Single Idea 174

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / A. Justification Problems / 1. Justification / b. Need for justification]

Full Idea

There is a state of mind half-way between wisdom and ignorance - having true opinions without being able to give reasons for them.

Gist of Idea

True opinion without reason is midway between wisdom and ignorance

Source

Plato (The Symposium [c.373 BCE], 202a)

Book Reference

Plato: 'The Symposium', ed/tr. Hamilton,W [Penguin 1951], p.80


A Reaction

Compare Idea 2140, where Plato scorns this state of mind. What he describes could be split into two - purely lucky true beliefs, and 'externalist knowledge', with non-conscious justification.

Related Idea

Idea 2140 True belief without knowledge is like blind people on the right road [Plato]