Socratic Intellectualism

Articulated across Plato's early dialogues like the Meno and Protagoras, Socratic intellectualism identifies moral character with philosophical wisdom. Socrates contended that because every rational soul naturally desires what it perceives as good, malicious or self-harming behavior can only arise from distorted judgment. If a merchant cheats or a leader acts tyrannically, intellectualists argue they do so under the mistaken belief that wealth or unchecked dominion will secure their ultimate happiness. While criticized by later philosophers for minimizing irrational passions and subconscious malice, this doctrine remains a powerful framework for educational reform and rehabilitative justice.

In Issue 26, the author examines Socratic intellectualism while unpacking the problem of akrasia. The text reviews Socrates' famous assertion that wrongdoing is merely an error of knowledge, noting how appealing it is to attribute the harmful decisions of modern politicians and technocrats to simple ignorance. However, the author cautions that human nature contains deeper moral conflicts that cannot be resolved through intellectual tutoring alone, maintaining a playful skepticism toward total rational optimism.