Secondary sourceDocumentary3 November 2021

Socrates on Knowledge and Not-Knowing

Wolfgang Danner, Claus Ast · 3 November 2021

A modern German science video explaining Socrates's trial, death sentence, and his famous idea of 'knowing that one knows nothing.'

This modern video explains Socrates's trial, death sentence, and his philosophy of acknowledging ignorance.

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"Sokrates über Wissen und Nichtwissen," 3sat/nano/scobel, 2021. Directed by Wolfgang Danner and Claus Ast.

About this source

What it is

This is a 2021 German-language science video produced for the program 3sat/nano/scobel, created by Wolfgang Danner and Claus Ast. It explains the trial of Socrates, which ended in his death sentence, and explores his idea of acknowledging one's own ignorance.

Why it matters

Socrates is remembered for encouraging independent thinking through dialogue and for admitting the limits of his own knowledge. His trial and execution by the Athenian state is one of the most famous events in the history of philosophy, raising lasting questions about free thought and political power.

Look closer

Why might a society put a philosopher on trial for the way he talked and thought?
What does it mean to 'know that you don't know,' and why might that be a difficult or threatening idea?
How might a modern video explaining ancient events differ from a direct ancient source?

This documentary is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Socrates on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Secondary source

Apology

Plato · c. 395 BC

Line engraving in a multi-line border showing a bust of a bearded man with curly hair and a furrowed brow, on a plinth. The label below reads SOCRATE. Lower right reads Landon direx.

Secondary source

Line Engraving of Socrates by Landon

Charles Paul Landon

Cover of a 1925 Italian paperback, Platone, Dialoghi III, Critone, tan cardboard with red double border. Handwritten inscription at top, red handwritten marking near bottom. Publisher Vallecchi Editore Firenze.

Secondary source

Crito

Plato · c. 400 BC

Engraving of a bearded, balding bust of Socrates in an arched niche, set on a stone pedestal. Inscription below reads 'SOCRATES SOPHRONISCI FILIUS ATHENIESIS', with credits 'P.P. Rubens delin.' and 'P. Pontius sculpsit, 1638'.

Secondary source

Socrates Engraving after Rubens by Pontius

Peter Paul Rubens · 1638

Black-and-white photograph of a white marble bust of a bearded man, shown from the front and slightly turned, with deep-set eyes, a curly beard and hair, against a dark background. The image is a glass lantern slide with labels reading Socrate and Université de Louvain.

Secondary source

Roman Marble Bust of Socrates

between 1839 and 1939

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